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CREDENTIALS

Cheryl Holzer is an independent piano and organ teacher, church organist/pianist, and accompanist, residing in Fallbrook, California. Cheryl came from a musical family started playing the piano at age 7 and became a church organist at age 19. She earned her Associate of Arts from El Camino College where she studied piano and organ with Dr. James Hurd. Cheryl earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Music from UCLA where she studied with Dr. Thomas Harmon. She also studied organ with Samuel John Swartz, and piano pedagogy with Carol Graham. Cheryl also holds a California Single
Subject Teaching credential in Music. In 2005, Cheryl was awarded the Colleague Award (CAGO) from the American Guild of Organists. To earn this award, applicants must pass a rigorous test on music theory, transposition, sight reading, accompanying, and repertoire.

Cheryl has taught numerous piano and organ students in the Southern California area. Cheryl has served as pianist/organist and has directed children’s and handbell choirs in many churches in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. She continues to work as a church musician and accompanist in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties. She is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, the Music Teachers’ Association of California, and National Guild of Piano Teachers.

Cheryl is the mother of four children who all play the piano. Her daughter Emily graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. Emily is also a piano teacher so mother and daughter often perform together and collaborate about their students.

Cheryl is currently the organist at Fallbrook United Methodist Church and the Wednesday organist at First Church of Christ Scientist, Carlsbad-Vista.

TESTIMONIALS

“Cheryl is by far the best teacher my daughter has ever had. She makes learning the piano fun by mixing up several activities and by playing along with her. I have not yet seen any teacher so interactive. My daughter genuinely loves showing up for her lesson.” Gina F.

“Before my daughter met Cheryl, she was discouraged and wanted to quit studying piano. Under Cheryl’s guidance, she quickly regained her love for the piano. My daughter wants to please her teacher so much that she now practices without being asked or forced.” John W.

“Cheryl is a patient teacher who is very good at working with boys. Many piano teachers do not have the patience required to teach a young boy how to play the piano but Cheryl is very calm and keeps the lessons interesting and fast paced.” Cherie B.

“I knew we would love Cheryl as a piano teacher when I first understood her philosophy on the delicate balance between learning to read music, and also being able to hear it. As she put it: knowing how to read music is like being illiterate (very frustrating), but if you can’t hear it, what’s the point? Music IS an art, after all. My kids love Cheryl, and say she’s great! If they are struggling with a song for any reason, Cheryl is quick to notice and jump in to help with advice and encouragement. Her piano recitals and parties add to the fun!” Shawna S.

Cheryl is an excellent organ teacher; she has high expectations of her students but is patient with them as they learn new techniques. Her comments are always encouraging, and she has helped me break bad habits and replace them with correct ones. Her teaching style is warm and friendly, never intimidating. Most importantly, she helps me to play less pedantically and more musically and with greater expression. Shannon J.