Teaching Philosophy

In today’s competitive world, where more and more competent pianists are trying to make their mark in the field of music, it is of utmost importance for one to be a compelling, intelligent and well informed musician. Perfection must be the goal we always work for, as there is no space for mediocrity and amateurism. However, we must always have our own voice when we perform. It is in beyond the note-perfect playing that lies the difference between a good performance and an unforgettable one. 

My goal as a teacher is to make my students grow pianistically, musically, but also personally. Also, I believe that the better we know one student, the better we can adapt our teaching methods, in order to make them achieve their full potential. Each student is unique and so should their interpretations be.

Playing the piano is much more than a mere finger exercise. It is, above all, a way of communicating with audiences the message that composers wish to convey. Many times we have never experienced the wide range of feelings and emotions that are expressed in the musical scores. To be able to find a convincing way of expressing them, I encourage my students to understand how they were experienced by others, through the study of other art forms, such as literature or painting. 

Although a good technique itself does not make an unforgettable performance, it is impossible to be artistic and to convey all our musical thoughts without it. Thus, when I teach, I make sure that my students adopt a healthy and painless technique from the beginning so that they can continue playing the piano throughout their lives, with no injuries. 

I am lucky to have always had amazing teachers. They have been persistent people who never stopped trying to improve themselves in order to become better teachers. I believe that it is extremely important for a teacher to be a performer as well. Following their example, it is my wish to share my knowledge with my students and to keep improving myself as a person and as a musician. In doing so,
I will be able to achieve my goal of aiding them in finding their own voices and becoming better artists, capable of presenting memorable performances.   

       - Inês Andrade

Inês Andrade is available to teach private piano, keyboard harmony, and music theory in the Boston area. 
Should you request more information, please use the contact form.