What I appreciate most is how she tailors every lesson to my interests and goals. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, she always asks what music I would like to play and then creates a thoughtful, step-by-step plan to help me get there. Her teaching is structured and progressive, but at the same time flexible enough to match my personal interests and pace. As an adult student, I especially value that she meets me where I am. There is never pressure to move faster than I’m comfortable with. Instead, she helps me build skills systematically while keeping the learning process enjoyable and motivating. Beyond piano technique, I have learned so much about music history, composers, musical styles, and the broader context behind the pieces I play. These insights have deepened my appreciation for music and made lessons much more meaningful. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, patient, and inspiring piano teacher.”

-Linna Zhou, current student

From barely understanding the fundamentals of the keyboard to performing and premiering music across many different states, it is to her guidance and wisdom that I owe my deepest gratitude. [Hales] taught me to see music not merely as an art form, but as a way of life. She guided me through the technicalities of the instrument as well as the rich history of music itself - the traditions and influences that have shaped sound throughout the centuries, and the endless possibilities for creative expression. During my time as her student, she cultivated in me every discipline that contributes to musical excellence: technique, performance, theory, composition, expression, and more - somehow, she was a first-class pedagogue in all. She values originality above all else, nurturing the individual voices of each of her students and encouraging their unique artistic endeavors. I cannot overstate my fortune in having been taught by a teacher with such breadth of knowledge and such unwavering dedication to her students.”

-Pradhyumn Pradeep, alumnus

The theory behind music, how dynamics convey emotions, and how it makes a piece whole. She was always patient and broke down large, rhythmic sections into pieces - most notably, demonstrating repetition of progressions and melodies, even as they evolve or obscure themselves. Her instruction showed me the piano as an extension of the mind. Those years made me a better musician and learner, and I will always be able to carry this art into my future.”

-Shyam Sathisan, alumnus