Music Teachers National Assn. (MTNA)
Washington State Music Teachers Assn. (WSMTA)
Oregon Music Teachers Assn. (OMTA)
Music Teachers Assn. of Clark County (MTACC, f.k.a.CCMTA)
Suzuki Association of Americas (SAA)
Oregon Suzuki Assn. (OSA)
Debbie believes children are products of their environment. “The Learning Triangle,” the collaborative effort towards a common goal among student, parent, and teacher creates a nurturing environment to help the student to thrive and be creative, cultivating the love and joy of music. Debbie's mission is to help students to develop the right tools, such as technique and analytical mind, to play piano with excellent musicality and technique. Her passion for teaching and combining the strengths of different methods for each student has shown in the works of her students year after year.
“The work of education is divided between the teacher and the environment.”
~ Maria Montessori
BIOGRAPHY
Debbie Lee has been teaching piano since 1991 and currently maintains an active studio in Camas, WA. She teaches private piano lessons to students from the age of five to adults. Students in Debbie Lee Piano Studio receive well-rounded music education and have been recognized for their natural technique that produces a great tone and sensitive understanding of the repertoire.
Along with maintaining a private piano studio, Debbie performs as a collaborative pianist in the Vancouver (WA) area with choirs, solo vocalists, and instrumentalists. She has also served at churches playing piano, organ, and keyboard. Debbie belongs to several professional music teacher organizations. She has held many offices, including the president's position at Clark County Music Teachers Association (CCMTA). Debbie is also a frequent adjudicator at festivals, adjudications, and competitions. She regularly dedicates her time to mentor aspiring piano teachers and teachers with established studios, supporting piano pedagogy and technique training.
EDUCATION
Debbie began piano training at the age of five and in her teen years, studied with the late Kathleen Marie Buswell, who had studied under a great Russian pianist, Josef Lhevinne. She also studied piano with renowned pedagogue John Perry, Antoinette Perry, Dr. Lucy DeSa, and Dr. Jill Timmons, and studied organ with Dr. Patricia Lamb. She studied at Univ. of California, Irvine, majoring in piano performance under the instruction of Nina Scolnik, and received B.M. and M.M. While studying at the university, she had the privilege of learning the Taubman Technique from her teacher. Re-organizing her technique in the Taubman approach changed Debbie's piano playing entirely. It started her journey of developing and teaching the technique that will produce a great tone, prevents injuries, and overcomes technical challenges. After university, Debbie became a certified teacher in Suzuki piano pedagogy, and her trainers include Dr. Dorris Harrel, Dr. Ray Landers, and Mrs. Rita Hauck.
PRIVATE PIANO INSTRUCTOR & COLLABORATIVE PIANIST
LOCATED IN CAMAS, WA
Debbie Lee Piano Studio