Dorothy Halstead
Stone Oak and North West
Piano
8 and Up, intermediate to early advanced
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, University of Texas at San Antonio
Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, University of Texas at San Antonio
Dorothy Halstead is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy and a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance. She had the privilege of studying piano with Dr. Kasandra Keeling and worked closely with Dr. Courtney Crappell in piano pedagogy. In her undergraduate career, Dorothy was awarded the Marjorie Powell Zachary Scholarship and Friends of Music Scholarship. In March 2008, she won first place in the Etude Music Club Scholarship Competition. She was also named the Texas Music Teachers Association Collegiate Scholar of the Year in 2009 and granted a scholarship for this honor. Dorothy has also performed in various masterclasses with renown musicians such as Lilya Zilberstein and Jane McGrath.
In 2008, Dorothy started her teaching career and maintained a private piano studio at Hill Country Montessori School (HCMS) in Boerne, TX while also teaching local pre-collegiate students. As a graduate student at UTSA, Dorothy taught at the university level, including teaching three levels of group piano for music majors as well as secondary piano for non-piano music majors. After graduation from UTSA in 2012, Ms. Halstead joined the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, Inc. Dorothy works as an administrator for the Summer Music Institute for strings and piano at UTSA.
Dorothy is active in professional organizations on the local and national level. In 2008, she was a charter member and vice president of the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Chapter at UTSA and served as President from 2010-2012. She also has served on the board for the San Antonio Music Teachers Association (SAMTA) as Program Director in 2012-2013. She currently serves on the SAMTA board as President.
Dorothy has presented her pedagogical research in various music conferences including the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts Research Conference Competition, Texas Music Teachers Association State Convention, and the Texas Music Educators Association Conference. Her presentation entitled “Engage the Brain!: Cognitive Warm-up Activities for Effective Music Lessons.” was accepted for a session presentation at the Music Teachers National Association in Anaheim, California in March 2013. In August 2014, she was a featured guest speaker at the Oregon Music Teachers Association Conference where she presented two presentations of her work in pedagogy: “Engage the Brain!: Cognitive Warm-up Activities for Effective Music Lessons” and “Off the Piano Bench: A Pedagogical Approach to Incorporating Eurhythmics in the Piano Lesson”
As a performance oriented teacher, Dorothy works to develop each student to his or her highest musical potential. She incorporates theory, technique, critical listening, and detailed musicality to prepare students to play their best under pressure. Her students frequently participate in festivals, theory tests, competitions, recitals, and other performance opportunities. Dorothy believes that equal commitment between, student, parent and teacher is essential for students to flourish and excel in their musical education. Students in her studio can expect high expectations coupled with encouragement, challenging them to reach their musical goals and develop a long-term enjoyment and appreciation for music.
When not teaching, Dorothy enjoys interior decorating, reading, and relaxing with friends.
MACSA Piano Teacher Dorothy Halstead
Note: The new address for our Stone Oak location is 2106 E. Sonterra #211, San Antonio, TX 78259