Mrs. Mattingly is patient and enthusiastic, also especially
sensitive to the issues of an adult learner (I am 87 years old).
Lucy Z.
Doris gives support, encouragement, lively friendly instruction
that is fun, and critique on small parts of each assignment to
improve my performance on assigned musical selections. Doris works
with lots of children in a delightful manner, but what is great for
me is that she has a group of adults, some of us beginners or
intermediate players who are taking this up once the children are
gone. We get together three times a year to play for each other in a
social evening, not a concert, no pressure, just sharing music at
our own levels. Doris understands adults have busy schedules and she
does not harp on practice. She works with what she is given and what
we can manage. Doris chooses music thoughtfully according to our
interests. She knows I like Bach and Mozart and swing and rag, and
so she finds pieces I can handle and have fun with. She also spends
part of each lesson on duets, and when she plays with me, the
resulting sound is inspiring. Doris is an excellent teacher.
Jill S.
Doris is an excellent piano teacher who emphasizes both technical
proficiency and musicality. She provides a very professional but
also warm and encouraging learning environment. She can easily
relate to both adults and children.
Elaine T.
Doris Mattingly provides formal lessons for three of my children,
age 10, 13 and 14. She is a professional and serious music teacher,
but they love her. She is a professional, but is also warm and kind.
I am always amazed at recital time how magical their performances
are. She is a great instructor.
Ann J.
I have taken piano lessons from Doris Mattingly for years as an
adult student, and my daughter took lessons all the way through
elementary, middle and high school. Doris is nothing short of
wonderful in terms of both her teaching and her wisdom. Her adult
students range from novices to folks who have played for decades to
some who studied with her as children and continued on as adult
students after college, and she has enabled them to become a
mutually supportive and encouraging community. For my daughter, the
lessons were one of the most important parts of her development, and
the confidence and poise gained through lessons and through her
relationship with Doris were invaluable.
Ira C.
Mattingly Studio is a superb place to delve into the art of musical
development and understanding - for a wide range of ages and levels
of competency. Doris Mattingly is an indefatigable champion and
advocate for the best of musical development and growth. She is an
outstanding musician and exemplary teacher.
Jeanie J.
Doris provides wonderful weekly instruction in piano for me, as an
adult student returning to piano many years after my 4 years of
instruction as a child. She is a terrific and very knowledgeable
musician and patient teacher, demanding in a gentle way that keeps
me motivated to practice. We talk about the spirit and intent of the
music, not just how to play the notes. I wish I'd had her as a
teacher when I was a child. She has a range of students from
award-winning young concert pianists to adults who have never played
piano before. I love my lessons and learn so much about the music,
not just the playing. Doris strikes the right balance for me,
expecting me to commit to practice and be serious about playing, but
encouraging to me as an older adult not to be discouraged. We have
workshops for the adult students that are non-threatening in that
it's just us students but challenges us in that it has us perform
for others. We also have a lovely holiday performance that combines
the young and older students. Mattingly Studios has been the perfect
place for me to come back to my love of the piano in a welcoming and
nurturing environment.
Susan P.
This is the third year my child has been taking weekly lessons from
Doris Mattingly. He started in 5th grade and absolutely loves Ms.
Mattingly (and so do we!). He is motivated to practice, enjoys the
lessons, and is improving every week. Ms. Mattingly holds recitals
2-3x annually, one open to parents and the other two are
student-only. These are very effective at focusing effort and also
providing a "safe" venue for the students to learn from each other.
Ms Mattingly also provides information and opportunities to attend
piano-related events at the local conservatory. I highly recommend
her!
Laura H.
Doris is by far the best piano teacher I have ever had. She's
patient, flexible, thorough, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable
about theory, technique and style. I would recommend her to anyone
at any time.
