Testimonials
“Bonnie is a dedicated musician, an important cultural ambassador who is at home with many styles of music, from Baroque to Contemporary. As a teacher, she is successful in working with small, beginning children as well as advanced piano majors. She has a warm personality and clearly articulates her thoughts. Bonnie is a resourceful and innovative teacher and she covers a variety of material in addition to traditional keyboard lessons. I observed Bonnie giving private piano instruction and her students made great progress, showing significant technical and musical improvement. Bonnie is personable and friendly, a conscientious teacher who is able to elicit results from the most challenging student.” – Dr. Deborah Clasquin
“Our son, Matthew, studied piano with Bonnie Murphy from the time he was in sixth grade until he graduated from high school. His proficiency with the instrument and his enjoyment of the process and the experience far exceeded our expectations for him. Bonnie is a calm and patient teacher who gets the most from all her students. The recitals were always a pleasure to attend. (We also believe the study of music was helpful in Matthew’s development from an average student of mathematics to a very accomplished mathematician with a degree in bio-chemistry.) We recommend Bonnie to any person of any age with no reservations.”
– Josh and DeeDee Washburn
“Bonnie has integrated a variety of instructional methods to meet the needs and motivation of my daughter. Bonnie was a private piano instructor for my son, who is totally blind. His disability offers many new and interesting challenges for any teacher, which Bonnie has taken on enthusiastically. Her background in the Suzuki method of instruction offered the structure and the auditory focus for successful learning, skill acquisition, and the development of his love of music.”
– Marge Mochak
“In the fall of 1999 our 9 year old daughter Molly informed us that it was time for her to learn piano. We asked local musical genius Sean Bohannon to recommend the best piano teacher in the area and he gave us Bonnie Murphy’s phone number with glowing praise. With Bonnie’s guidance Molly embarked upon a lifelong musical journey. Inspired by her gentle, creative, and exacting teacher, Molly continues to play piano; studying with Bonnie on her breaks from her studies at UC Berkeley. Bonnie has helped Molly to develop a lasting passion for playing the piano and in the process has enriched all of our lives immeasurably.”
– Joyce Jonte, Bruce Ryan, and family (October 2010)
“I recommend Bonnie highly as someone who has already reached a high level of accomplishment and who will continue to contribute to her field.”
– Dr. Deborah Schwartz-Kates
“It was my privilege to have had Bonnie as a piano teacher for my daughter. Bonnie has shown much skill and professionalism in her teaching ability, along with her cheerful and pleasant personality. She thoroughly taught all areas of piano at an appropriate level for each student, and was willing to spend extra time when needed. Our personal experience with her expertise in the Suzuki method has been extremely positive.”
– Joan Skannes
“Fourteen years ago, my daughter Chelsea started taking lessons from Bonnie. In that time span Bonnie has managed to not only teach Chelsea the skill of piano, she also inspired her to look farther into it and find a true art and passion within it. She was able to relate to her at all ages, and really encouraged her to be patient, to practice, and gave her the tools that made the hard work fun for her. This made for a wonderful piano teacher throughout the years, and a long lasting friendship as well.”
- –Shanna Del Grande
