About Me

Music has always been a life-long passion of mine.

I knew I wanted to be a piano teacher since my youth, and was fortunate enough to realize my dream through the education and training I received.

It brings me great satisfaction when I see my students improve and find joy in playing the piano. My students are a diverse group, ranging in age from kindergarteners to adults. I am equally happy to work with students whose goals are to major in music in college, as well as with those who want to learn to play music in styles that they enjoy. The adults that I teach range from beginners to dedicated amateurs who seek to develop their pianistic skills, as well as piano teachers who want to improve their playing and teaching skills.

Regardless of a student’s goals in taking lessons, I aim to cultivate a strong foundation in reading, rhythm, technique and musicianship in every student to enable them to tackle any style of music. Each student’s lessons are tailored to meet their individual goals, ability, needs and interest. This approach to teaching the piano is based on my belief that lessons should be both educational and enjoyable for the student. The rewards of taking music lessons are numerous, going beyond just learning how to play an instrument and the enjoyment of music. Children learn many life-long lessons such as perseverance, commitment, focus and self-esteem. It is my sincere hope that my students will continue to enjoy expressing themselves through the playing of music the rest of their lives.

Philosophy of Teaching

• To develop and nurture each student’s ability in music to reach his/her fullest potential.
• To foster a life-long love and appreciation for music.
• To teach students how to ultimately be able to learn music independently.

Julie Crucian – Music Background

Piano Teacher

Julie Crucian has taught piano lessons professionally for more than thirty-five years. During this time, she has taught privately at home, as well as at the college level (at Santa Fe College and the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL) and at private schools in Christchurch, New Zealand (Christ’s College, St. Andrew’s College and St. Margaret’s College) and Memphis (St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School).

Pianist and Accompanist

Julie Crucian was church pianist at Covenant Church, Gainesville, FL for nineteen years. She accompanied ballet classes for thirteen years at Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL and Southern Ballet and Dance Theatre, Christchurch, NZ. Julie has also accompanied for the company classes and the master classes of the Russian National Ballet Company, Atlanta Ballet Company, Southern Ballet Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Company, Charlotte Ballet and the Harid Conservatory.

Recitals, Workshops and Masterclasses

Julie Crucian frequently performs both as a soloist as well as an accompanist, and conducts master classes and workshops for music teachers.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy – Shorter College, Rome, GA – major professors: Mary Ann Knight, Elizabeth Buday.

Master of Fine Arts in Piano Performance – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL – major professor: Boaz Sharon.

Associations

Member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) since 1988.

Held board positions in Gainesville Music Teachers Association (GMTA), El Paso Music Teachers Association (EPMTA) and Greater Memphis Music Teachers Association (GMMTA) and Okaloosa County Music Teachers Association (OCMTA).

Member of Institute of Registered Music Teachers, New Zealand (IRMT) (2006-2010).

Member of the Etude Music Club, Memphis, TN.