Esther Whitlock began playing piano at the age of three. She studied from her mother, local piano teacher Linda Whitlock and Esther L. Howe. She also studied violin with Amy Beth Horman as a teenager, and continues her violin studies with our resident violin instructor, Jeff Issokson. Esther adapts her approach to teaching according to the learning style of each student. She encourages every child and adult to believe that they are talented, but emphasizes that practice is actually the deciding factor in success. For example, some students need extensive visual aids in order to learn to read music. Others may benefit by playing their pieces by ear. Since she teaches to their natural strengths and creatively introduces new skills, her students excel easily. Esther considers her great passion to be teaching music. Her student's success is her greatest gratification. As her teacher Esther Howe told her years ago, "Never abandon your music, and practice, practice, practice!"
