Katherine Brown, Early Learner Piano founder

about katherine...

Born in Seattle to a musical family, Katherine began playing piano before kindergarden. Imprinted by 9 years as a Suzuki parent, she began teacher training with master teacher Caroline Fraser at the HNU Suzuki Institute in 2010. Teaching piano, music reading and music theory in Berkeley, California, Katherine deliberately keeps her studio “small” at 12-16 students. All participate in recitals, group classes as well as weekly private lessons. Parents attend all lessons and recitals.

A part of Clarice Leite's Piedmont/Oakland studio in the 90s, Katherine studied the Suzuki approach alongside her children. Her continued studies with Caroline Fraser and Rebecca Boblak support the studio’s growth and larger recital and performance opportunities.

She volunteers at Berkeley High as an essay coach, and swims and hikes to stay nimble. Her home piano studio includes 1 cat, her husband, Jim who played trombone in Middle School, and 4 'flown' children who’ve graduated from Pratt Institute/Hunter College, Stanford, UC Davis/Goldman School Public Policy and UC Berkeley. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford in Journalism and Political Science.

Why Katherine chose to teach Suzuki:

"Most people have a set notion of inborn talent or ability -- this misconception is a delight to change. I know every child can become a musician."  

"Music is our human language - a tonic for our times: for patience, resilience, unplugging, intellectual challenge, entertainment and shared laughter. I love working with children and their parents to help them reach their highest musical development."