• The strict one, who made you count out loud as you shamefully try to hide hot tears during the lesson. This teacher more or less influences you by teaching you the type of teacher that you don't want to be.
• The crazy-music-person one that had one-too-many pets, bright lipstick on their teeth, and it was all accompanied by wild hair and the mild smell of cigarettes. But it was this teacher that taught you that music has life, and passion, and they untangle, insurmountable pain and joy that weaves in and out of it. She also taught me how memorable it is to treat a special student to lunch - a tradition I am now doing with my seniors. R.I.P, JR.
• And then the high school teacher and the college professor, who offered the focus of technique and skill building while introducing you to Bach and Prokofiev in new ways, while still shaping the innate need to communicate through song. 

Every teacher left their fingerprints on me, my attitude toward piano and music, and left me realizing that this really is an amazing gift and opportunity - to teach the next generation how to love and play music. I began teaching when I was in 6th grade and have continued ever since. (Thanks for that college degree, Mom & Dad. I am literally doing the same thing I did when I was 12...). And I hope that my students look back at their time with me in my home with fondness and smile.