About

Susan Traylor grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, studying piano privately for 12 years with Mrs. H.C. Hennemen. She competed several times in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association State Music Contest, winning three times to perform in the, what was formerly referred to as 10-Piano Concert, at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis.  Mrs. Traylor initially attended the College of St. Benedict on an academic scholarship, majoring in music. She eventually obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music in from Arizona State University, where she studied piano under Steven De Groote, winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition in 1977.

Mrs. Traylor has been teaching private piano lessons to children and adults for 40 years. Although her roots and passion are firmly planted in classical music, her musical tastes are diverse. She actively worked with her late husband, a singer and songwriter of R&B/Jazz music, helping him with recording, producing and performing.

Ms. Traylor is an active member of the Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA) and the Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) where she continues to develop professionally, network with other teachers, as well as avail her students to the many performing and educational opportunities. 

Mrs. Traylor strives to make the learning process enjoyable, such that the goal of piano mastery does not overshadow the journey in getting there. If the student has a particular interest in a song, be it classical or contemporary, religious, Broadway music or jazz, she will incorporate that into the lesson, too. 

To enhance the student's piano lesson experience further, Mrs. Traylor offers to her students opportunities to participate in Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA) music events such as Piano Ensemble, Student Recital Series, Music at the Mall, and other performing events, as well as the Arizona State Music Teachers Association (ASMTA) Arizona Study Program (ASP).  

Successful piano lesson experience with Susan Traylor, at minimum, leaves the student with a greater appreciation of music, a tool (the piano) to express that appreciation, a desire to always want to keep learning music, whether that is through playing the piano or singing or playing another instrument and, for the student who yearns for mastery of the piano, a solid foundation of piano technique, theory, repertoire and sight-reading.