Education, experience and teaching philosophy
Pamela began exploring the keyboard at the age of 5, learning to play by ear. Although mainly attracted to popular music, formal lessons eventually led her to study classical piano under Irma Kordinak of Willliamsville, NY, and later Carlo Pinto at the University at Buffalo. She received her B.A. degree in Music and English, with a concentration in music theory. Later, she studied the Suzuki method with Mary Handley, a former professor of piano pedagogy at San Francisco State in California. In 2008 Pamela completed work on her master's degree in Creative Studies at Buffalo State College, focusing on creativity in music and education.
Due to her background and experience, Pamela is a proponent of non-traditional methods of instruction that promote learning by discovery. Her educational approach supports diverse learning styles and abilities, and her goal is to provide every student with tools to express themselves musically and creatively. Overall, she would like to see people of all ages and abilities participate more in the arts as patrons and practitioners.
As a performer, Pamela has enjoyed singing and playing rock, blues, jazz, pop, gospel, hip-hop and new-age music. She has served as a church music director, pianist and vocalist, and has composed and arranged music for contemporary worship services. In 2001, she recorded a relaxation CD of new age-style pieces entitled “Rhythms of Life”, which were arranged to accompany guided imagery. Pamela has performed on keyboard and vocals with area bands, such as The Roadrunners, and co-founded the all-girl original and cover band “Lemongrass”. Musical theater and operetta credits include lead and supporting roles in local productions of “Hello Dolly” (Irene Malloy), “Pajama Game” (Brenda) and "Singing in the Rain", as well as Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe” (Iolanthe) and "H.M.S. Pinafore". Pamela is a regular soloist at concerts for Opera-lytes of Buffalo, where she also serves on the board of directors.
Due to her background and experience, Pamela is a proponent of non-traditional methods of instruction that promote learning by discovery. Her educational approach supports diverse learning styles and abilities, and her goal is to provide every student with tools to express themselves musically and creatively. Overall, she would like to see people of all ages and abilities participate more in the arts as patrons and practitioners.
As a performer, Pamela has enjoyed singing and playing rock, blues, jazz, pop, gospel, hip-hop and new-age music. She has served as a church music director, pianist and vocalist, and has composed and arranged music for contemporary worship services. In 2001, she recorded a relaxation CD of new age-style pieces entitled “Rhythms of Life”, which were arranged to accompany guided imagery. Pamela has performed on keyboard and vocals with area bands, such as The Roadrunners, and co-founded the all-girl original and cover band “Lemongrass”. Musical theater and operetta credits include lead and supporting roles in local productions of “Hello Dolly” (Irene Malloy), “Pajama Game” (Brenda) and "Singing in the Rain", as well as Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe” (Iolanthe) and "H.M.S. Pinafore". Pamela is a regular soloist at concerts for Opera-lytes of Buffalo, where she also serves on the board of directors.