It is a distinct pleasure to recommend Lana, and her very competent staff, to anyone thinking of broadening their musical horizons. My daughter Jessica continues to grow more proficient in her abilities, as a result of Lana's thoughtful and professional teaching manner. When Lana first met Jess, she was a little child. Lana has managed to tailor a music program specific to Jess's individual needs through out the past 6 years. She has always been careful to stress the classics, while allowing her the freedom to experiment with individual favorites. Lana's positive influences extend beyond her weekly lessons. The recitals have given Jessica a very positive experience with live performance. It has bolstered her self-esteem and is evident in many facets of her work at school. I truly believe it was her experience with performing that enabled her to enjoy public speaking and take on the presidency of her school class in 2002. Lana understands young adolescents and communicates openly and with the sensitivity necessary to keeping a maturing young girl motivated. On a personal note, our whole family enjoys our relationship with Lana. She is a lovely young lady who is professional and caring. Each time my child sits at the piano (daily, without asking!) I thank her for bringing the music into our home and our hearts. Fondly, Dana H. I'm Jessica H. and I am 12 yrs. old. I've been a student of Lana Beddow's for over six years. I love the piano and love the way Lana teaches me. She is always positive and very supporting. Through her care, I have learned to play expert level music such as Debussy's Clair de Lune and the Chopin's Military Polonaise. I am very excited because I am about to start Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. I have come a long way and Lana has been with me the entire time. Even the hard times, when I didn't believe I could do something, she gave me confidence. She is not only my teacher but also my friend. I would never be able to play the way I do if it wasn't for her. Lana is a part of our family. What I enjoy most about the piano is the freedom. The piano is my way of clearing my mind and relaxing. I can go through many musical books and play for the fun, joy and the beauty of music. The pianoforte is, in my mind, the most soothing and beautiful instrument there is. I will keep playing for all my life. Thank You, Jessica We first met Lana of Orpheus Music when she came to house to teach piano to our children, Maya and Zachary, then 8 and 5. Within two years of lessons, Maya had the confidence to play her recital piece, "Think of Me" from the show "Cats"' at an open microphone session at the Acton Jazz Cafe! Lana was an excellent role model for Maya, combining high standards and clear goals with warmth and affection. When Zachary began first grade, he could not yet read, however, he could read music! Within a few years, he was playing Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D minor on the majestic church organ, Mozart's Sonata in C Major, Grieg's "Wedding Day in Troldhougen", Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, as well as, many of Chopin's Preludes. Through her personal attention and devotion to the students and the classics, Lana motivated Zachary to work hard, to excel, and to love music. Lana and the teachers she associates with organize semi annual recitals. Year after year, we are delighted to see the progress of all the children in the Orpheus program. Kids who come in nervous to play the Mexican Hat Dance one year are eloquently performing Handel the next. Her students form friendships, encourage one another, and always enjoy the party after each recital! Respectfully, Neil Burns We are very impressed by the wonderful progress our daughters Sammy and Ally have made in the short time since they began piano lessons with Lana. Lana is a warm and enthusiastic teacher who never fails to give our children positive encouragement each week! In addition to being able to play and read music, our kids are learning the musical theory behind what they play. Lana explains everything clearly and works with them until they understand the new concepts. She is a patient teacher, but she also gives them enough new material each week so that they are challenged but not overwhelmed. Because of her teaching method, there has been continuous progress and the girls are very proud of what they are accomplishing. Sincerely, Jen L. When I was researching a piano teacher for Kaley and Kristen, I was looking for someone that was classically trained that would focus on important fundamentals such as music theory, hand positioning and dynamics. Since Kaley and Kristen started lessons at a young age, it was also important to find a teacher that would make the lessons fun and interesting yet provide a "gentle" nudge to excel at the same time. We found this initially with Lana and it has been a pleasure to see my daughters grow musically under her guidance. Now Kaley and Kristen continue to progress and excel with another impressive Orpheus Music teacher, Yuliana. It is wonderful listening to them play some of the same classics that my Parents played and then played long ago. Our goal is for Kaley and Kristen to continue to take lessons for as long as possible because music, in general and especially the ability to play the piano, is a gift that lasts a lifetime! Sincerely, Wendy C. Yuliana has been teaching our son Sam for approximately one year. The experience has been nothing short of fabulous. After a very short time, Sam is playing music that he (and the rest of the family) greatly enjoys. Somehow, Yuliana has motivated our son, who usually requires threats of physical torture to complete his homework, to practice religiously. But the more interesting result is that, in spite of the lessons being "fun" for Sam, both classical music theory and a serious grounding in the basics are simultaneously achieved without seeming a tedious chore. Sam eagerly anticipates each lesson and especially the treat of the end-of-lesson short performance by Yuliana that undoubtedly increases his motivation. However, the most important result of Sam's lessons with Yuliana is that she has successfully instilled in our son a love and appreciation for quality music that will last his lifetime. Any child receiving instruction from this gifted teacher should consider him or herself very lucky. Regards, Tom and Susan Miller For the past two years, my three children have been studying piano with Lana Beddow. At ages 7, 8 and 9, their learning styles vary from eager to reluctant with a touch of perfectionist thrown into the mix. Rather than attempting to force them into an expected style of learning (as a previous teacher had, unsuccessfully), one of the things I admire most about Lana is her willingness and ability to adapt her own style to meet the needs of my children without compromising her dedication to teaching them. As a result, piano lessons happily progress at a personal level for each of them. Lana inspires them to accomplish and rejoices with them when they do. While she sets goals for them, they are never unrealistic and my children often exceed them on their own. Lana has become their friend as much as their teacher and I believe they often forget that they are taking lessons. I also benefit from Lana's expertise in my own piano lessons. As an adult with hearing loss and no music background, I feared that I would not be able to learn music; that I wouldn't be able to hear and identify sounds. However, with Lana's encouragement and infinite patience, I find that I am finally fulfilling a lifelong desire to make music. Another invaluable asset is Lana's flexibility in working with our schedules. When there are conflicts, she is always accommodating in finding time to make up or change lesson times. While I find that my "testimonial" for Lana as a teacher centers on more practical matters, her knowledge and skill as a professional musician should not be overlooked. She unfailingly has immediate and precise answers to any question regarding music and our lessons occasionally veer into very interesting and informative theory discussions. I am continually in awe of Lana and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a piano teacher. Lori Walsh