37.8796524, -122.2668066
Beerkeley, CA (94709)
Full Name:
Verna Winters
Contact Phone:
Contact Email:
Institutional Affiliation:
Verna Winters taught and led ensembles at private studios in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, before settling in Northern California. Here, she has taught for Dominican College, American Conservatory Theatre, and UC Berkeley. She opened her own studio in Berkeley in 1977.
Music Styles:
Classical, Musical Theatre
Instrument/Voice Types Taught:
Piano, Voice, Cello, Accordion, Acting
Piano: 5-adult. Voice: 14 up
Education:
Verna Winters is privileged to have started her piano lessons at age 3. This seemed normal to her, since she was born into a child prodigy family, with an older brother, Mervin Berger, who won a scholarship to study at Curtis Institute (Philadelphia) from ages 6 to 8. Next, he won multiple scholarships to study with Madame Olga Samaroff-Stokowski, at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, where she taught. Mme Samaroff also taught in New York at Julliard, where she was the founder of the Piano Department. Verna's mother would sit in on all her brothers' lessons, and then return to teach Verna everything she'd learned. She also studied Voice, Acting. Dance, cello (SF Conservatory) with such luminaries as Jasper Deeter, Herbert Berghof, Anthony Tudor. She has a BA from Temple University, and graduate studies at SF State, Mexico City College, Stanford, UC Berkeley.
Years Teaching:
over 50
Lesson Rate:
$70/hour
Teaching Method:
Verna believes lessons should be fun, and fun is only likely when there is good communication, This is only going to happen on piano, voice, or any instrument, with strong classical technique, ear training, and musicianship (musical vocabulary.) The better you can play, the more satisfying (fun) your experience. Creativity is encouraged. This is progressive, professional level training at all levels, for all ages and ambitions.
Makes House Calls:
No