Denise F.

Denisestarted playing piano at age 5, and was inspired by her mother who was anaccomplished pianist. She started piano lessons at age 9, and then started organ lessons at age11. Later, she studied pipe organ with the legendary Dr. Emmett Smith and piano with JudySolomon at TCU.Also at age 11, Denise began oboe lessons, eventually studying with her inspiration, NoahKnepper. As a high school student, she tied for first chair oboe in the Texas All-State Band. Shewas also drum major and “high girl” in her graduating class at Haltom High School.Denise earned a degree in Oboe Performance at TCU, with a minor in Pipe Organ. She alsoearned a second degree, a BME in all-level instrumental and choral music education. Upongraduation, she studied Oboe at Michigan State University, receiving a masters in OboePerformance with a minor in Music Theory. She continued to study oboe with Daniel Stolper(Michigan State University), John Mack (Cleveland Orchestra) and Charles Veazey (Universityof North Texas.)Denise has been a church organist and pianist since age 14, including 18 years at Trinity UnitedMethodist Church. She continues to serve as a church pianist in the Fort Worth area.However, Denise’s passion has always been for teaching. She has taught oboe, English Horn,and piano to students of all ages including adults. She taught in Birdville ISD, HEB ISD,Arlington, ISD, Grapevine ISD, and Keller ISD, as well as in her large home studio. She alsoserved as a band director and choir director in Birdville ISD for many years, building animpressive legacy of students being named to the Texas All-State Band and Orchestra. Many ofher students are in major symphonies or are music educators themselves at the elementarythrough college levels.Denise also served as Oboe professor and Music Theory teacher at the University of Texas atArlington for twelve years. She has performed professionally with the Fort Worth OperaOrchestra, and has also served as a music adjudicator for the University Interscholastic League.Denise’s style of teaching is that of nurturing and encouraging students, taking them from wherethey are and guiding them to the next levels. She learns what types of music they like, and sheuses that to broaden their horizons. She seeks to make every lesson both fun and enjoyable, butchallenges them, reinforces fundamentals, and teaches them how to practice. She also has herstudents listen to specific artists and styles. Her students all attest to the fact that she ispassionate about teaching, and that she loves her students.