Meet Charlene
Charlene Shelzi Jarvis is an independent piano teacher residing in Mesa, Arizona. Until July of 2000, Charlene was a faculty member at Utah State University's Youth Conservatory teaching private piano lessons and all levels of group music theory classes since 1986. She served on several committees and ultimately co-wrote the theory curriculum for the Conservatory. She also taught piano lessons as an adjunct faculty member at Utah State University. She has maintained a private piano teaching studio for over 35 years.
Charlene co-developed numerous piano teaching materials, including the Keyboard Gymnastics Achievement Program and the Kreative Keyboard Kit, as co-founder of TCW Resources (Three Cranky Women). She has also published multiple music theory books, including Brillante, Animato, Energico, Sprito, Con Moto, and Con Brio, as well as numerous music games through the Kjos Music Company, which inspire teachers and students at many of the nation's top universities, preparatory programs, and studios across the country.
She has presented at the Music Teachers National Association national conference on several occasions, as well as the National Federation of Music Clubs national conference. TCW Resources and Kjos keep her busy presenting at state and local music conferences, including appearances as the keynote speaker. Other national conference presentations include the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) and MusicEdConnect.com, with multiple presentations at each.
Charlene was the Director of the first Arizona Youth Piano Competition, held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2006. She was pleased to be asked by the Keogh Health Foundation to direct the inaugural event for Arizona's young pianists, where students competed for over $12,000 in prize money.
Charlene studied at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho (now BYU-Idaho), and Utah State University, where she was a student of Gary Amano. Charlene is an active member of MTNA and a past president of her Utah MTA Chapter. She completed training and taught the Musikgarten curriculum for young children. She has participated in master classes with Nelita True, Jane Magrath, Claude Frank, Daniel Pollack, Leon Fleischer, Andre-Michel Schub, and Charles Rosen. She is active as a clinician, adjudicator, and performer.
Since moving to Arizona, she has been active in PMTA (Phoenix Music Teachers Association) and has served on the state board of ASMTA (Arizona State Music Teachers Association) as editor of all ASMTA state publications. She currently volunteers on the PMTA Ensemble committee and is a conductor for several annual performances.
In addition to her work with PMTA, Charlene is affiliated with Yamaha Music Delights, a program that teaches beginning piano lessons for Crystal Cruises. This opportunity has allowed her to see the world while teaching what she loves! This program has enabled her to have students from over 30 different countries.
Charlene ran marathons in her spare time (21) and was working toward completing one in every state before a devastating ankle injury. Since that crazy injury involving errant balloons, a ladder, and 5-inch wedge heels (not the best choice!), she now gets her heart rate pumping by chasing after her five grandkids (Henry, Marek, Dean, Miles, and Millie), which is basically as much of a workout as all of that marathon training!
Charlene has lived in the Valley of the Sun since 2002, in Cave Creek, Scottsdale, and now East Mesa. Club Piano relocated to the East Valley in August 2023, and Ms. Charlene is beyond excited to offer lessons of all levels to students eager and willing!
Publications
Charlene with TCW Resources co-founders Laura Zisette and Kathleen Lloyd
All contents © 2008-20 Club Piano