Premila Grubb
Premila's music teachers in school taught her to appreciate different kinds of music through songs; they inspired her to learn how to play them. Mrs. Gita Menon in Chennai, a brilliant performer inspired and encouraged her to complete her diploma exams. She believes that, "Music is good for the soul and helps to bring people, especially children, closer. It makes for pleasant interaction among them." She joined the BSM in June 1987 and worked for a year, joined again in 1997, making it a total of ten years here.
Joan Willoughby
Joan has worked with the BSM as an advisor-volunteer from 2001, offering her expertise to the on-going Musical Outreach Programs at Chrystel House (2002-2003) and Parikrma (2004-2006). About music, she says, "As a young person it is extremely important more than other school academics. It engages the left brain /right brain and helps the student improve in academics. This has been proven in many tests. It gives self esteem, peace of mind and takes the mind off all other worries."
Joan Willoughby was five when she began piano lessons. After the fifth grade she started percussion lessons so she could play in a marching band and orchestra. Dr. Dorsey Whitington was her teacher and her biggest inspiration.
She has vast teaching experience, acquired over 30 years in America at two colleges, has taught piano at Kodaikanal International School from 1997 to 2000 and has been teaching at Canadian International School from the year 2000.
Molly Zachariah
She earned her M.A and B.Ed from St. Xavier's College in Bombay and passed the L.T.C.L with Mr. Joseph D'Lima, teacher and leader of the Bombay Philharmonic Orchestra (1960's). As a part of a five-member BSM team, has visited the Royal College of Music, Sweden in 2003 to study Group Method Techniques, children's choirs and general principles of Pedagogy.
Molly is presently a consultant in the Western Music Department of Vidya Niketan School, Hebbal. In addition, teaches the piano at the BSM mainly in the 7-15 years category, preparing students for the TCL and RCM exams.
Molly began her career teaching music and English at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Mumbai and, has been associated with the BSM since 1986 as piano teacher and accompanist. She has managed group singing classes for 18 years at the Bangalore International School.
Peggy Lambert
They found a piano teacher in their small town and Peggy studied under her for 10 years. She majored in music education at university in piano/voice - receiving a Bachelor of Music degree.
Years later, she returned to university and received her Masters degree in music education with coral conducting as her major instrument. She feels that music, "Brings joy - a kind that is found only when practicing and performing. Developing skills also brings confidence and allows one to teach others."
Peggy began playing the piano at age five. There was music in her family, her father played the piano and her mother played the accordion.
Mrs Grubb started learning the piano during her primary school education in a convent in Malaysia, where singing and folk dancing was part of the curriculum.
Rebecca Thomas
She adds, "Music gives joy, satisfies desires fulfills dreams; can be shared with others and brings people together like nothing else can." She's been with the school since 1991 as a student teacher and now as a therapist and a teacher
She had the privilege of accompanying students of other instruments and the choir. At the BSM she's performed at concerts and met people from various walks of life who have a similar passion for music. She enjoys teaching children of various ages and helping them fulfill their goal of learning music is the best part of being a music teacher.
Rebecca began learning the piano at the age of 9, encourage by her parents. They had a piano at home and it was a good instrument to play in the church and with friends.
Ruby Alphonse
With the BSM for almost two years, Ruby finds that teaching has helped her improve her study too.
Ruby started learning to play the piano by ear eight years back. It was one of her favorite instruments and she's interested in Bach, Mozart and Chopin.
Sheila Mascarenhas
You'll see Sheila beaming at recitals; her motivation comes from hearing a good piano recital. She believes that music, "Greatly improves the quality of one's life with regard to self confidence and relationships."
Mrs. Mascarenhas, who began playing the piano at the age of 13 says, "my sisters and I started learning on a hired piano."
