About Me
Amy Irish, NCTM, holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Maine at Orono, a Post Graduate Certificate in Piano Performance from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland and a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has run a successful private studio out of her Bangor home for over 15 years and has studio alumni who have gone on to pursue music in college and beyond. Her collegiate teaching includes 15 years of class piano and applied piano at the University of Maine at Farmington and a piano pedagogy course at UMaine. Amy regularly accompanies for soloists and choirs around the state of Maine, including solo and studio recitals, competitions, MMEA & ACDA festivals, the All State Mixed Chorus, and Maine Summer Youth Music Camp. She also performs regularly with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. She is an active member of, and is nationally certified through, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA); currently serving as President Elect of the State affiliate, Maine Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and President of the local Penobscot Valley Music Teachers Association (PVMTA).
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that ALL students, both young and old, deserve to have music in their lives. Natural talent alone shouldn’t determine who can and cannot learn piano. Each student enters my studio at various stages of musical development. My role as their teacher is to provide the highest quality education possible in order to guide them along their musical path, wherever it may lead. In my studio, it’s not only about mastering the piano, but about developing skills (both musical and non-musical) that will last a lifetime.
This is achieved through learning and experiencing:
- Basic music theory and an understanding of the musical language—both written and aural
- Healthy technique that includes an awareness of how your body’s movement produces sound on the piano
- Effective practice strategies to help your body and brain acquire and retain new skills
- Ear training that improves and expands how you hear sound and listen to music
- Various musical styles—past and present
- Musical interpretation and how to move past the mechanics to find musical expression
- Positive performing opportunities that share music with others and celebrate improvement and accomplishment
- Personal accountability and encouragement through the continual learning and practicing process