Meet Elizabeth!
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Salt Lake native | Eight years of private teaching
From Music Therapy to Private Teaching
I didn't plan on starting a music studio. I planned on being a music therapist.
After growing up in Salt Lake City and studying music for more than twenty years, I left Utah to earn my Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy at Arizona State University. In 2021 I became a Board-Certified Music Therapist and spent the next two years working with children with special needs in Phoenix.
I loved the work, but the highlight of my week was always the one-on-one teaching. Watching a student figure out a passage they couldn't play last week or seeing a shy seven-year-old light up when they realized they could read music? That's the part that felt like home.
When I'm not teaching, you'll usually find me with a good book, trying a new coffee shop, spending time with my dog, or working on a creative project. I love learning new things, and I enjoy bringing that same curiosity and enthusiasm into my lessons.
Meet Beebo!
If you take lessons in my home studio, you'll likely meet my dog, Beebo. He's the unofficial studio assistant and loves greeting students when they arrive before finding a cozy spot to relax during lessons. He's always happy to accept a few pets and has become a favorite part of many students' weekly visits! If you or your child has allergies or is uncomfortable around dogs, just let me know and I'm happy to make accommodations.
Training That Goes Beyond Music
Most private music teachers come from a performance background. I come from a therapy one and that shapes how I teach.
Board-Certified Music Therapist - Credentialed through the Certification Board for Music Therapists since 2021.
20+ years of musical training - Violin, piano, and guitar.
Adaptive lesson experience — Trained and experienced in teaching students with special needs.
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy — Arizona State University, 2019.
8 years teaching private music lessons - Including full-time roles at multiple Phoenix-area studios before opening Studio Kwan Music.
Music therapy training means I pay attention to how you learn, not just what you're learning. That changes how I structure lessons, how I adapt when something isn't clicking, and how I keep students engaged long enough to actually get good.
My Approach
My approach comes down to three ideas:
Music should be enjoyable. While a strong technical foundation is important, I also make sure students are learning songs they're excited to play, helping them stay motivated and engaged.
Every student learns differently. A five-year-old beginner needs a different lesson than an adult returning to piano after twenty years. I tailor pacing, materials, and feedback to each student rather than running everyone through the same curriculum.
Confidence comes from progress, not pressure. I believe students build confidence by experiencing small successes week after week. That's why I break new skills into manageable steps and celebrate every milestone along the way.
I teach at the student's pace. There's no pressure to play pieces perfectly or to learn something by a certain date. The goal is to help students feel confident, supported, and actually enjoy what they're doing.
Want to see if we’re a good fit?
A free 30-minute trial lesson is available if you'd like to see if we're a good fit. It's a chance to meet, ask questions, and experience my teaching style before enrolling.