Kyle Perkins
Piano
Kyle Perkins is an advanced pianist, performer and educator with over 20 years of experience. What started as tag-along lessons at six years old quickly became a lasting passion that would significantly shape his identity and future. Through much time and commitment in his early years of piano, he emerged as a top performer amongst peers. He received multiple perfect scores in both piano and vocal performance at state festivals, accompanied various musicians, and performed with his school orchestra and jazz band. Consistently playing the most advanced music at his teacher’s studio and his high school, he decided the best option was to use his gift and continue his piano journey into college.
Kyle attended Montana State University as a Music Education Major and received scholarships for his musical talents. After two years, Kyle chose to switch to a Psychology major, but kept music as a minor and continued performing and training all four years, being consistently adjudicated and refining his ability to perform advanced repertoire. While making the switch was a difficult decision, Kyle knew the knowledge gained through his psychology degree courses would be invaluable as an educator. Ultimately he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Minor in music. Afterwards, Kyle went on to complete his Master’s degree in Communicology (Psychology of Communication) from the University of Hawaii.
With over 15 years of service in education with youth and adults, Kyle is an experienced and talented teacher. His introduction working with youth began as summer Camp counselor for 4-H in Montana. He would supervise and train staff as well as work directly with campers. At MSU, he got his first taste of music education, providing piano lessons for a local after-school program. At the University of Hawaii, he started as a Teaching Assistant and moved into the position of Lecturer, teaching public speaking & communication courses in addition to mentoring Graduate Teaching Assistants within the communications department on effective lecturing and instructional delivery. Upon moving to Florida, Kyle served as Community Outreach Specialist with the Youth and Families Division in Sarasota and, of course, continued teaching private piano lessons.
As an instructor, Kyle is encouraging, adaptable, and highly responsive to each student’s needs. He is comfortable teaching a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, worship, and popular music. He also enjoys working with all students, from young beginners to advanced players. He highly values incorporating enjoyment and fun to encourage students’ passion for piano. His combined background in music, education and psychology alongside his passion for seeing student success and growth, allows him to create a supportive and engaging learning environment which fosters both strong musical skills and a love for the instrument.
In addition to being part of the Rock Box teaching faculty, Kyle is an active performer in the community, focusing mostly on jazz-style arrangements of popular songs and taking live requests by ear (which is supported by his strong ear training and perfect pitch) and plays on a local worship team.
Kyle Perkins is an advanced pianist, performer and educator with over 20 years of experience. What started as tag-along lessons at six years old quickly became a lasting passion that would significantly shape his identity and future. Through much time and commitment in his early years of piano, he emerged as a top performer amongst peers. He received multiple perfect scores in both piano and vocal performance at state festivals, accompanied various musicians, and performed with his school orchestra and jazz band. Consistently playing the most advanced music at his teacher’s studio and his high school, he decided the best option was to use his gift and continue his piano journey into college.
Kyle attended Montana State University as a Music Education Major and received scholarships for his musical talents. After two years, Kyle chose to switch to a Psychology major, but kept music as a minor and continued performing and training all four years, being consistently adjudicated and refining his ability to perform advanced repertoire. While making the switch was a difficult decision, Kyle knew the knowledge gained through his psychology degree courses would be invaluable as an educator. Ultimately he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Minor in music. Afterwards, Kyle went on to complete his Master’s degree in Communicology (Psychology of Communication) from the University of Hawaii.
With over 15 years of service in education with youth and adults, Kyle is an experienced and talented teacher. His introduction working with youth began as summer Camp counselor for 4-H in Montana. He would supervise and train staff as well as work directly with campers. At MSU, he got his first taste of music education, providing piano lessons for a local after-school program. At the University of Hawaii, he started as a Teaching Assistant and moved into the position of Lecturer, teaching public speaking & communication courses in addition to mentoring Graduate Teaching Assistants within the communications department on effective lecturing and instructional delivery. Upon moving to Florida, Kyle served as Community Outreach Specialist with the Youth and Families Division in Sarasota and, of course, continued teaching private piano lessons.
As an instructor, Kyle is encouraging, adaptable, and highly responsive to each student’s needs. He is comfortable teaching a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, worship, and popular music. He also enjoys working with all students, from young beginners to advanced players. He highly values incorporating enjoyment and fun to encourage students’ passion for piano. His combined background in music, education and psychology alongside his passion for seeing student success and growth, allows him to create a supportive and engaging learning environment which fosters both strong musical skills and a love for the instrument.
In addition to being part of the Rock Box teaching faculty, Kyle is an active performer in the community, focusing mostly on jazz-style arrangements of popular songs and taking live requests by ear (which is supported by his strong ear training and perfect pitch) and plays on a local worship team.
