About
Hemdah Salonimer-Horner
Hemdah teaches ages four through adult, and works with all interest levels, from playing for one’s own enjoyment to performing in contests, and preparing to major or minor in music in college.
Hemdah has over thirty eight years of teaching experience and maintains her studio in her home. She has her Master of Music in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from UMKC, and her National Certification as a Teacher of Music through Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). She received Suzuki training from Haruko Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki Piano method, and from Bruce Anderson. Hemdah works for the Independence School District at William Chrisman High School as the vocal music accompanist for concerts, musicals, and contests. She also works as a free lance accompanist.
Hemdah is recognized by the Music Teachers National Association as a Nationally Certified Teacher.
The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artists. [It’s] to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives.
Kelly Pollock
Preschool Students
Hemdah loves the spontaneity and sense of play preschool students bring to the piano. Using the Suzuki Piano School she varies the lesson between learning at the piano, and off the piano bench activities like moving to music and floor games. Learning by ear, students work at their own pace, mastering one skill at a time, as parents learn along with their child.
Early Elementary
Hemdah loves the developing curiosity and inquisitiveness of early elementary students. Continuing with the Suzuki literature, and parents' involvement in the lessons, students enjoy improvising, formal music reading, and duets.
Middle - Late Elementary
Hemdah delights in the growth of middle to late
elementary students, who develop independence in their practice habits while parents take a less active role. These students are ready for more activities like KCMTA’s contests and Multi-Piano Concerts.
Middle School
Hemdah finds it so rewarding as her middle school students are growing in their practice habits and seeing the long term benefits of their technique development.
High School
Becoming more self-directed Hemdah's high school students discover a developing individuality. Using questions to guide their exploration her students learn how to practice and play more efficiently and effortlessly. They study Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary music as they continue to advance in music theory. Improvising for fun and as a spring board to composing, students also perform in contests, graduation recitals, as well as prepare for auditions for college scholarships and acceptance to be music majors.
Adults
Hemdah loves working with adult beginners through advanced pianists. She works with each student to find out what their goals are and then works with them to decide on a program of study. Beginners can choose Suzuki, or a traditional method. Intermediate and advanced students can study classical piano literature, jazz, blues, pop, or worship and praise.
Group Lessons
Students explore music theory and learn to listen to each other as they play music games and perform. There are five group lessons per year and the group lesson is the lesson for that week.