Piano/Guitar, Music Therapy,  Songwriting

Gabrielle Tee, piano teacher, guitar teacher, and assistant director, has a passion for creating and teaching music.  She started piano lessons at age 6, and began composing original songs at age 10.  While her peers were playing dress-up, she was playing 'piano teacher,' and would recruit any willing family member and friends to be her students.  She officially began teaching piano lessons through her church at age 16, and ran her own independent music studio for 5 years in Kansas City.  She taught over 40 students, ages 3 to 60, and included several students with special needs.  

In the vibrant jazz scene of Kansas City, she honed her jazz arrangement and composition skills.  She recorded several albums, including a full-length album on Moon Pie Records, and was a regular performer at local coffee shops and jazz venues.  She studied music therapy at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City, and completed her music therapy internship at Children's Memorial-Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX.  Throughout all these experiences, she strived to inspire her students by including them in recordings, performances, presentations, and college visit days.  She relocated to Asheville in 2010 to be closer to her family.

LESSONS WITH GABRIELLE

I will work with each individual student to understand their unique interests, needs, and motivation.  I specialize in incorporating music therapy techniques into lessons.  Examples include adapting lesson materials for children with autism, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, or other special needs, and using song-writing and improvisation to help teens express themselves through music.  I especially enjoy working with students who are interested in contemporary music styles such as pop, rock, and jazz.  A typical lesson includes learning a student's favorite song, and incorporating theory and technique concepts to reinforce material in their traditional repertoire.  I empower students by helping them set meaningful goals, and celebrate all milestones with great joy- be it a performance in a talent show, or the first song they've memorized.  My ultimate goal is that each student will leave lessons inspired to practice, and be given the tools to be successful and truly enjoy creating music.

Testimonials:

"Gabrielle is probably one of the best and nicest piano teachers anyone could ever have.  Every time my mom takes me for lessons I feel all happy and excited.  She's taught me so much, and whenever I get a compliment from her, I feel more and more happiness coming into my life.  It feels good to be taught by her"- Eli, age 12

"Whenever I feel sad, music cheers me up.  I play my favorite song and it brightens my day.  You’re the person who brought this talent into my eyes.  From learning the keys to recording a song, you have helped me achieve my goals and believe in myself"- Aislinn, age 11

"Gabrielle is a fantastic teacher that has not only given Aislinn the gift of learning music, but has also given her the gift of someone who believes in her, someone who cares about her, hears her and encourages her to use her own voice.  She is a wonderful teacher, role model and person, who is not afraid to show the students how much she believes in them.."- Rachel

"You taught me not only how to play, but to love music.  I also learned to go for my dreams, do what I love, and be myself"- Grace, age 13

"Gabrielle works hard and goes above and beyond expectations.  She is a patient, knowledgeable and fun instructor, but she also makes sure the work gets done.  My daughter, Grace, has gained confidence in knowing that she is unique because she is a musician.  Gabrielle truly delights in kids making music and having fun doing it."  Alicia

"I Love Piano Lessons!"- Cameron, age 5

“Thank you so much for all you've done for Ruby.  Especially having her play in the recital!  I can’t tell you how excited I am that she is learning to sing and play along with multiple instruments.  I really enjoyed hearing the other students in the recital as well…I guess you could say “this ain’t your mama’s piano recital”, and that is good, because my piano recital wasn’t nearly as exciting as this one was!  After the recital, she started composing a whole song, complete with lyrics and chords... i think it is just awesome... “ -Ruby’s mom