MEET THE TEACHERS
Margaret Stevens Fontiveros
Voice and Piano Instructor
WHAT I STAND FOR AS A TEACHER…
I believe music is for everyone and if you don’t have music in your life, something is missing.
I believe music feeds the soul and people should make the music they love.
I believe in providing valuable voice and piano lessons that are fun, motivating, inspiring.
I believe in focusing not only on learning necessary skills but on enjoying music and building a lifelong appreciation for it.
I value students’ individuality and personality and work hard to meet each students’ needs.
I continue my own learning and research to ensure that what I teach is relevant and interesting, and make it a priority to keep lessons fresh. My students will always be my inspiration to strive for perfection in my teaching.
MARGARET'S EXPERIENCE...
Margaret Fontiveros holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the California State University, Fullerton and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC., graduating summa cum laude from both universities.
Margaret is an accomplished music teacher and is accredited in North Carolina, California and Virginia. She has taught music in both elementary and middle schools as well as private lessons for close to 20 years. Margaret has also enjoyed singing professionally for many events in the Los Angeles area and more recently around the Triangle area. She served on the board of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association for 7 years as both Voice Section Chair and Voice Festival Chair and is an active member of NATS (National Association of Teacher of Singing), NCMTA (North Carolina Music Teachers Association) and RPTA (Raleigh Piano Teachers Association.)
Cheryl Crews
Piano Instructor
WHAT I STAND FOR AS A TEACHER…
I believe that anyone regardless of their age and experience can learn to play the piano.
I believe in helping students become competent and confident performers through lessons that focus on improving students’ technique, posture, sight reading, musicality, and expression.
I believe in teaching students to appreciate all aspects of music including the historical context in which it was written, the composer and his ideas about music, the form, and style of a piece.
I encourage students to think independently, and develop their own understanding of music. I firmly believe that students should cultivate their own personal interpretation of a piece of music rather than following in the footsteps of others.
I believe learning to play the piano takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and that it should also be fun and enjoyable. In every one of my students I encourage growth, independence, and a love of music.
CHERYL'S EXPERIENCE...
Cheryl Crews holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Ohio State University and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University, graduating cum laude with honors.
She is an accomplished solo artist and accompanist and has performed in numerous recitals and master classes, including a recital at the Haydnsaal at Estherazy in Eisenstadt, Austria at the Classical Music Festival in 2014. She has been teaching piano privately for over five years in addition to continued work as a rehearsal accompanist for operas and musicals, choir accompanist at churches, paid soloist and chamber musician. Cheryl is an active member of NCMTA (North Carolina Music Teachers Association) and RPTA (Raleigh Piano Teachers Association.)