Amanda Dove, NCTM

I have played the piano since I was a child, and taught private lessons in piano and voice since 1996. 

I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance with a piano minor from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I took classes to prepare me for teaching private piano and voice lessons, rather than classroom teaching, and I began teaching there under the supervision of my professors. I attended the University of North Texas for graduate school, where I studied music history, and was a teaching assistant for music appreciation.

Because I am passionate about learning and teaching,  I am continually reading and taking classes to continue my education and improve my teaching.  I regularly attend state and national conferences, read professional journals, and follow facebook groups for professional teachers so I can stay on top of the newest research, ideas, and tools for teaching, and stay connected with the composers, publishers, and app developers who influence how today's students learn.  

I am a member of Music Teachers National Association, and participate in two local clubs through MTNA.  I have held offices at both the local and state level, and in 2010 I completed the requirements for the NCTM certification, a rigorous program that involved demonstrating my expertise in music performance, theory, history, professional teaching methodology, and the business of teaching.

Sumer 2014, with baby Clive:

Christmas Recital 2012 with wee Casey:

Thankfully, as much as I love music, I can't say it's the most important part of my life. 

I feel extremely fortunate to have a big, happy family!  After many years in the Glennon Heights neighborhood, I relocated in 2019 to Westlake with my husband, blending our families, donating all the duplicate kitchen appliances, and adding a dog.  Between the two of us, we have four little ones and one big one:  Sophie is 12, Casey is 11, and Clive and Thomas are eight, and my oldest son Cal is 23, so I know how fleeting  childhood truly is!  Watching my boys grow up has given me so much insight into how children learn, and as a mom, I'm right there in it with the families of the students I teach, and do my best to understand their challenges and be supportive of the whole family.  My babies are my greatest joy and keep me motivated to be the best mom I can be.

And yes, I taught Cal piano and I'm teaching the little ones right now!

We share our home with two matching cats, Rosie and Chomsky, who are very rarely seen during lessons because they prefer to stay in the basement and away from the busiest part of the house, and a nine year old Golden Retriever named Dashi who takes her duties as greeter very seriously but then settles down and naps during lessons.  She's a very good girl.

When I'm not teaching or practicing,  I enjoy taking the kids to the park, the library, a museum, or on a hike, cooking, daydreaming, traveling, going to concerts, and laughing loudly. Learning is my life's passion, so I love to geek out by reading nonfiction books--especially about science, listening to podcasts, and spending time with other nerds.  Since becoming a mom, I've replaced obsessing over the perfect shade of blush with becoming a couponer and I enjoy teaching others how to cut their grocery bills in half, but I miss working as a "beauty girl" and love makeup, nail polish, and perfume.  

That's me, teaching a piano lesson to Robert Ayers of the Denver Broncos, for a fun news story on Fox 31, put together by sports reporter Josina Anderson.  Thanks to Rockley Music for letting us film in their showroom!