TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Jennifer teaches piano, accordion, and chamber music to students of all ages, from 5 to 80+. She has a client-centered approach to teaching, helping students develop their goals, and define their stylistic preferences. Her teaching curriculum includes theory, ear training, sight-reading, technique, repertoire based on the student’s tastes, and some composition and/or improvisation based on the student’s level of interest. With small children she incorporates clapping, singing, drumming and counting games into the lessons. Jennifer’s goal is to inspire a lifelong love of musical learning, playing, and listening in her students.
Regular performing opportunities are provided for Jennifer’s students, with two recitals a year, one in December at her home studio in San Francisco, and the other in May at the concert hall of the San Francisco Community Music Center. Both venues have Steinway grand pianos for the students to perform on.
The emphasis is on fun and community at these events, which always include a potluck reception, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better. These concerts provide an important motivation for the students, and a valuable chance to hone their performance skills.
Jennifer is a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, and has been teaching online as well as in person since the beginning of the pandemic. When she is not teaching, she loves playing music, going to performances, gardening, biking, practicing martial arts, dancing, hiking, sewing, spending time with family and friends, and cooking.
TESTIMONIALS
“I have taken piano lessons from Jennifer for over 10 years and have learned so much from her wise and personal teaching. She communicates information very clearly and accommodates your learning preferences. She knows how to challenge but not overwhelm you, so I have been surprised and pleased by what I was able to play after weeks of instruction.
When she was forced by the pandemic to offer lessons online, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like, or if I would like it. After a quarter term of lessons, I can say I think it is a great alternative to face-to-face lessons. The lessons are just as personal, focused, and with helpful feedback. The bonus is that you don’t have to leave your home, you can practice right up to the start of the lesson, and you can immediately practice what you worked on afterwards.
I highly recommend Jennifer to anyone who is interested in studying piano.”
- Rita Wong, piano student
“Jennifer Peringer is an excellent piano teacher. She has a gift with youth, both children and teens, fostering a love of music while insisting (nicely) on proper technique. Jennifer has an endless well of patience; she softly guides students through lessons. She offers a certain amount of control to her students, without letting them get away with poor technique. Jennifer understands and teaches many styles of music, and is willing to let students choose repertoire. She is an outstanding player, and is able to transmit all her knowledge and experience onto her students. We love her!”
- Amy Lewis, mother of Leni Mentzel, piano student
"Jennifer is an inspired and inspiring teacher. As someone who started music lessons at a ripe age, as well as someone who is not gifted musically, I have nonetheless made considerable progress in the time I have been her student. Lessons continually are a source of both pleasure and satisfaction as she gives me the keys, so to speak, to unlock the treasure chest that is music. I am very grateful. What could be better than to expand one’s horizons in this way?”
- Richard Schwarzenberger, accordion student
“In case you are looking for a piano teacher, I would like to tell you about my piano teacher, Jennifer Peringer. She has been my teacher for over five years and I know how she deals with students, from very young pupils to older adults, like me ( I was a Spanish and French teacher for years).
During your class, she will listen to you play and will suggest how to play the particular piece, she will correct your mistakes and help you understand how to correct it. It doesn’t matter if you play a wrong note, she can find a way to encourage you to better your performance. Even if you’re nervous before your class, by the end of the class you will feel better, because Jennifer will have known how much you worked on it and wanted to play it well. She will praise your hard work and encourage you to continue.
Technically Jennifer is a pianist through and through and she also plays the accordeon.She is kind and attentive during our classes and always makes me feel that I have accomplished something. That is truly the art of a great teacher and I recommend her very highly. I’ve never had a class with her that I haven’t throughly enjoyed.”
- Sara Trelaun, piano student