Poetry & Music
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Musical Praise
Nancy Blockcolsky
performing solo artist on piano, violin, and voice; piano teacher, accompanist, and collaborator; faculty at Manhattan Christian College, President of Manhattan Area Music Teachers Association, past President of Kansas Music Teachers Association, and co-author of the KMTA Music Progressions curriculum
"Cheryl Savage is an outstanding musician and an excellent piano teacher. I have heard her students perform on numerous occasions, and they perform with musical expression and accuracy. It takes a talented teacher to bring out that type of playing from students. The parents of her students are quite pleased with the way she communicates and interacts with their children; in fact, I've never heard a single negative thing about Cheryl's teaching. The families appreciate her caring attitude and her professionalism, and they respect her ability to teach their students..."
Elaine Mick
former high school English teacher, homeschooling mother, nonprofit organizer and volunteer
"...Mrs. Savage prepared (our daughter) for successful competition and multiple performance opportunities all while maintaining an upbeat attitude. We value that (she) models dynamic piano playing and performance herself so that our children witness the fruits of commitment...Mrs. Savage uniquely balances warmth with high expectations, and in our family, we see how her method is growing life-long musicians."
Susan Mann
Idaho Music Educator of the Year 2001, choral and voice adjudicator and clinician throughout the Northwest USA; retired high school choir teacher, voice teacher, former Entertainment Director of the Blackfoot Idaho Performing Arts Center, choral member of Camerata Singers, mother, and grandmother
"...I can attest to her strong ability to accompany any level of choral music. She is a dynamic sight reader and plays with beautiful musicianship and sensitivity at any difficulty level. Through the years, she has accompanied for many recitals and concerts. Whenever she has performed, whether as a soloist or accompanying, she has always met with great success."
The Dahl Family
Military family whose children continued to take lessons from Cheryl online regardless of where they live
"Mrs. Savage is always pleasant and present (and her) knowledge seems to know no end. (She) gives well-timed and appropriate examples to encourage students in their individual journey (and) gives constructive criticism without shaming. Mrs. Savage is humble in her abilities and gracious with praise.
She makes piano lessons enjoyable!"
Dr. Paula Neihouse Moseman
professional piano instructor, accompanist, and collaborator, organist, performing solo artist, mother, and volunteer
"Cheryl is a wonderful piano teacher, musician, and poet. I have heard several of her students play and they are high quality students/budding pianists. She has really sharpened her musical skills in the past
several years through her work as a choir accompanist... as well as a vocal
accompanist ... Even despite her skills improving greatly, she is determined to continue her improvement as a well-rounded artist."
The Klocke Family
Small Animal Surgery, Ranching, and Farming family in Kansas
"Cheryl Savage has been teaching piano to our two boys for the past six years. Her teaching style combines high expectations with making music fun and exciting. She is very warm and friendly, and is a great communicator with students and parents. Cheryl has a true love of music and teaching that inspires her students to develop their passion for music."
Dr. Alyssa Morris
award-winning musician, composer, oboist, pianist, and professor of music at Kansas State University
"As a pianist, both solo and collaborative, Cheryl is truly excellent! She performs every accompaniment
emotively, with great attention to tempo, with great care in following the director and balancing with the choir, with beautiful accuracy, and with fluidity and feeling. She is
always exceptionally prepared. Additionally, she is an expert sight-reader. I have had the
privilege to perform with Cheryl... Each time we have performed together, our rehearsals have been productive,
efficient, positive, and uplifting experiences that led to beautiful, successful performances!"
Dr. Slawomir Dobrzański
graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland and the University of Connecticut; critically acclaimed world-premiered piano and chamber music albums, author, lecturer, award-winning teacher and international soloist, and professor of music at Kansas State University
"Cheryl is a mature, caring and experienced piano teacher. Many of her students regularly win top awards in local and state competitions..."
Melinda Pickering
piano soloist, accompanist, and collaborator; teacher, volunteer, violinist, and mother
"I love collaborating with Cheryl! Her playing is confident, creative, and from her heart. She is curious and always trying to better herself as a musician."
Dr. Phillip Payne
professor, former Associate Director of Music in the School of Music, Theater, and Dance at Kansas State University, and current Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Kansas State University,
"Cheryl Savage is a fantastic musician and collaborative pianist. I have worked with her both as a parent and as a colleague. As a parent, I have seen the impact her musicianship has on my children and the development they show after sessions working with her. She connects well with her students and is always working to build their musicianship through encouragement and sound pedagogy. As a colleague, she is professional and focused on the well-being of her students. She works tirelessly to benefit the School and her musicianship is on full display as a collaborative pianist. I am always impressed by Cheryl and all her work."