Catherine Grace is especially passionate about teaching piano to students with learning differences such as Dyslexia, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
Learning differences can often make it difficult for students to focus, process information quickly, and pay attention to detail. Piano lessons can help to develop these skills and promote overall brain development. Music training can also have a positive effect on cognitive function, speech, language, and reading for children with learning and attention issues (source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/News-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/Music-Lessons-Boost-Language-Rhythmic-Ability-Children).
Learning a musical instrument has also been shown to help students grow in coping skills, patience, and perseverance, all important aspects of emotional regulation (source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/music-and-the-brain/201906/can-learning-musical-instrument-help-kids-adhd)
Additionally, playing the piano can serve as a therapeutic outlet for students with learning difference who may struggle with anxiety or stress. Piano lessons can serve as a calming and relaxing activity, providing a break from busy schedules and mental overload.
Catherine Grace believes that piano lessons should be accessible to all students, regardless of learning difference or ability. She recognizes that her role as a piano teacher is to understand the individual needs and learning style of each student. Some students may require more support with memory and focus, while other may need to jump up and down throughout the lesson–whatever the case may be, Catherine Grace enjoys tailoring her teaching to meet the unique strengths and weaknesses of each student she works with.
Students today carry many burdens with them into piano lessons: diagnoses, difficulties at school, stress and anxiety, social challenges, the list could go on and on. Catherine Grace hopes not to add another burden, but to help relieve some of the weight by providing a safe, educational environment for students to learn, create and make mistakes in.
For local students interested in lessons visit: Raleigh Piano Lessons.
Interested in lessons but don’t live in Raleigh? No problem! Read more about Online Piano Lessons here.