Music is my passion. In addition to piano, I masterfully play the
clarinet, violin, and saxophone.
I’ve been teaching piano lessons in both group and private settings for
over 30 years to students ranging in age from 5-95. I’ve also taught
piano lessons in elementary schools throughout the Coachella Valley,
including the prestigious private school, Sacred Heart. Several of my
students proudly earned the “Distinguished Summer Program
Scholarship” to The Idyllwild School of Arts. Currently, I enjoy teaching
private piano lessons online and in person at my studio.
I played violin with The Coachella Valley Symphony and even had a
teaching show on cable television called “Keyboard Discovery” which
aired on six channels for two years. My husband and I owned Desert
Piano & Organ for 15 years located in Rancho Mirage, California
where I taught lessons. I also taught piano and organ lessons at
Colton Piano in Colton, CA for 10 years.
I earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Music from Cal State University
Fullerton. As a student there, I played the violin in the Cal State
University Fullerton Orchestra.
My love for music started at a young age with my biggest influences
being those in my family. My grandma Madeline who also had a music
degree, taught violin and piano lessons, and was an opera singer at
the Chicago Metro Opera House. My mother, Theresa, still plays
piano and has a beautiful, operatic voice. She encouraged my musical
talents not only through her own passion but through her dedication to
my musical education. She has a masters degree in education and
taught elementary school. My favorite piano teacher, Thelma Gioli,
inspired me by teaching me how to play classical music. She trained
me to perform in many recitals and guided me through the Music
Teachers Association of California and the American College
Musicians Program where I reached advanced level in all areas.
Finally, much of my musical influence comes from my husband, Billy
Shaw, who enjoyed a career as a rock musician on drums and
keyboards. He taught me the importance of rhythm and showed me
chord structure to write songs.
Currently, I enjoy teaching private piano lessons online and in person
at my studio. Thank you for joining me on this musical journey,
wherever you may be and from the comfort of your home.
Donna Shaw