introducing your new teacher

CHARLOTTE (CHARLIE) STONE

Hi, I’m charlie, and my goal as a music teacher is to teach my students how to learn.

and not just about music!

I would love for all of my students to become accomplished conservatory musicians, but the reality is that only a very small percentage of students will ever be inclined to go down that path. A student’s time with me will not have been wasted if they emerge from lessons having learned even one strategy or coping skill that can be applied in another area of their life, or if they develop an expressive and creative outlet for their thoughts and emotions. This is why I teach.

I began teaching at a commercial music school, working closely with other private teachers on a daily basis. I also worked as a contractor, delivering group programs in a number of primary schools throughout the Perth metropolitan area. eventually, i set up my own business and began teaching private lessons from my home-based studio in the northern suburbs. that was over a decade ago, and during that time, I’ve had the great honour and privilege to work with many bright and enthusiastic little learners.

Over the years, word of mouth spread amongst frustrated school teachers and despairing parents, and I developed a niche for teaching neuro-diverse children (i.e. those who did not behave or learn according to accepted norms). some were diagnosed with a disorder, (such as oppositional defiant disorder, executive functioning disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, downs syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia & dyscalculia) while others simply defied the medical establishment’s best attempts at explanation and classification. nevertheless, I was able to teach them all and watch them flourish from week to week, month to month, year to year.

i believe that music lessons - piano and keyboard in particular - are an excellent means and environment for children to learn about themselves and to develop a life-long passion for learning, in and of itself. this is partly because of the one-on-one or small group delivery style, which allows me to give each student more time and individual attention than they would otherwise receive in a classroom setting, and partly because of the multi-sensory nature of instrumental music. For example, a visually-oriented student can be taught to use their natural strengths and tendencies as a visual learner to compensate for any weaknesses they may have in auditory processing, whilst a student struggling with fine motor skills may be motivated to work harder because they learn how to use their eyes and ears to guide the movement of their fingers. when children finally learn how they learn best, whole new worlds open up to them!

Self-acceptance, self-confidence and self-directed learning are the ultimate goals and best rewards of an education in music. I’m so proud to be a part of that journey for my students and I’m excited for what the future holds here in the mid west.

I can’t wait to meet you all soon! :)

-Charlie