Piano
Alyson Headley Smith has been teaching since 1999. She received a music scholarship to McKendree College and also attended Southern Illinois University.
She was a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs for over ten plus years and served on the district committee for one year.
Since 2010, she has been participating and is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Any interested students are presented for evaluations every year. Guild is an educational approach to teaching and instills a sense of self improvement as a student strives to better their score and increase the number of pieces they perform each year. In essence, they are competing with themselves which research has shown to be the best approach for children. They receive pins and certificates for their efforts.
Alyson has also done extensive solo and accompanying work. Some of her solo work includes pianist for a charter yacht company, weddings, corporate holiday parties, home tour holiday music, fashion shows, private parties, i.e. the cast party for a Broward Center production of Phantom.
Some accompanying work includes the Nova Singer Ensemble, opera singer preparation for roles in local operas, church choirs, vocal students/recitals, school programs, band/vocal contests. She also served as the pianist for the River of Grass congregation.
She believes that each student should be uniquely taught, with attention given to their individual gifts, proper pacing for the individual child, their schedule, etc. Also, in addition to training, the student should be allowed to pursue music they enjoy in order to keep them motivated.