| www.DowellIdol.com © 2007-2009 Dowell Idol. All Rights Reserved. |
I have known Dowell Idol first as the father of an extremely talented student (eight years of
lessons) and more recently as a respected colleague.
I knew volumes about Dowell's teaching from the excellent preparation and frequent monitoring
of his son Jason's piano practice. Technically he was rock solid and musically a natural. I have
also heard some of Dowell's advanced students play and I've always been impressed with the
teaching behind the performance. Dowell's studio recitals are amazing productions that feature
ensembles, solos, voice so the audience is enthralled.
Dowell is one of the most versatile musicians I know - he sings, accompanies, teaches, and
performs - all at the highest level. He keeps abreast of new repertoire while carrying on the
tradition of classical training. Every student who has studied with Dowell Idol is better off for the
experience, and some have reached extraordinary heights.
Suzanne W. Guy
lessons) and more recently as a respected colleague.
I knew volumes about Dowell's teaching from the excellent preparation and frequent monitoring
of his son Jason's piano practice. Technically he was rock solid and musically a natural. I have
also heard some of Dowell's advanced students play and I've always been impressed with the
teaching behind the performance. Dowell's studio recitals are amazing productions that feature
ensembles, solos, voice so the audience is enthralled.
Dowell is one of the most versatile musicians I know - he sings, accompanies, teaches, and
performs - all at the highest level. He keeps abreast of new repertoire while carrying on the
tradition of classical training. Every student who has studied with Dowell Idol is better off for the
experience, and some have reached extraordinary heights.
Suzanne W. Guy
| Suzanne Guy nationally-known piano teacher, clinician, and author |
I began studying piano with Dowell Idol when I was 8 years old. I would have never guessed that
my life would be shaped around music at such a young age. However, it was the dedication and
passionate teaching of Mr. Idol that gave me the inspiration to make music my life.
Dowell’s teaching is all-encompassing. He is able to relate a touch at the piano to the stroke of
a violin’s bow. He can help students find laughter and stories inside the notes on the page. I
remember countless lessons where he would hum a phrase, stop to think about it, and then
sing it again with words to bring the music to life! It is this kind of imagination and creativity which
captivates the minds of children and adults alike who study with Dowell.
After ten years of piano with Dowell, I had a solid base of technique, musicianship, and repertoire
under my belt. I was able to relate musical concepts from the piano to the trumpet (my other
major instrument). I entered college with several prestigious music scholarships. Thanks to
Dowell’s amazing influence on my life, I am now teaching band and piano! I work hard everyday
to inspire my students to give their heart and soul to making music. Thank you Dowell for
showing me what it means to give your all to music!
A. Allen Amos II
my life would be shaped around music at such a young age. However, it was the dedication and
passionate teaching of Mr. Idol that gave me the inspiration to make music my life.
Dowell’s teaching is all-encompassing. He is able to relate a touch at the piano to the stroke of
a violin’s bow. He can help students find laughter and stories inside the notes on the page. I
remember countless lessons where he would hum a phrase, stop to think about it, and then
sing it again with words to bring the music to life! It is this kind of imagination and creativity which
captivates the minds of children and adults alike who study with Dowell.
After ten years of piano with Dowell, I had a solid base of technique, musicianship, and repertoire
under my belt. I was able to relate musical concepts from the piano to the trumpet (my other
major instrument). I entered college with several prestigious music scholarships. Thanks to
Dowell’s amazing influence on my life, I am now teaching band and piano! I work hard everyday
to inspire my students to give their heart and soul to making music. Thank you Dowell for
showing me what it means to give your all to music!
A. Allen Amos II
| A. Allen Amos II Piano Teacher Director of Bands Tucker Creek Middle School Havelock, NC |
| Roman Bouchev Piano Student |
I have had several piano teachers, and Mr. Dowell Idol is the very best one!
I have always been interested in performing and composing music, and Mr. Idol is the first
teacher who was willing to create a program for me that would match my goals and skill level.
When it comes to taking piano lessons, having some talent and being willing to work are
important for success, but having a good teacher is even more important. Mr. Idol always
motivates and encourages me to practice and improve without being pushy. He has an ability to
explain things in very simple terms. And I love his wonderful Steinway piano that we use for
lessons.
Mr. Idol makes his students not just enjoy the piano lessons, but more importantly, enjoy and
love music!
Roman Bouchev
I have always been interested in performing and composing music, and Mr. Idol is the first
teacher who was willing to create a program for me that would match my goals and skill level.
When it comes to taking piano lessons, having some talent and being willing to work are
important for success, but having a good teacher is even more important. Mr. Idol always
motivates and encourages me to practice and improve without being pushy. He has an ability to
explain things in very simple terms. And I love his wonderful Steinway piano that we use for
lessons.
Mr. Idol makes his students not just enjoy the piano lessons, but more importantly, enjoy and
love music!
Roman Bouchev
Having taken piano lessons for several years, our teenage daughters, Jordan and
Hannah, were growing a little bored and their skills had plateaued. We were looking for
a teacher who would challenge and inspire them. Dowell Idol was the perfect choice.
He combines a wonderful teaching technique with a deep knowledge of music and
contagious enthusiasm. In a short time he has taken our daughters’ musicianship to
new levels, earning superior ratings in state-level auditions.
Dowell Idol has also been a wonderful piano teacher for our younger son. He has built
a solid foundation for him which we are certain will serve Noah well in years to come.
In short, if you are looking for a piano teacher for a beginning student, or a teacher who
will re-inspire a more advanced student, Mr. Idol has earned our strongest
recommendation. He’s wonderful!
Mike and Kelly Amedick
Jacksonville, NC
Hannah, were growing a little bored and their skills had plateaued. We were looking for
a teacher who would challenge and inspire them. Dowell Idol was the perfect choice.
He combines a wonderful teaching technique with a deep knowledge of music and
contagious enthusiasm. In a short time he has taken our daughters’ musicianship to
new levels, earning superior ratings in state-level auditions.
Dowell Idol has also been a wonderful piano teacher for our younger son. He has built
a solid foundation for him which we are certain will serve Noah well in years to come.
In short, if you are looking for a piano teacher for a beginning student, or a teacher who
will re-inspire a more advanced student, Mr. Idol has earned our strongest
recommendation. He’s wonderful!
Mike and Kelly Amedick
Jacksonville, NC
| Jordan, Hannah and Noah Piano Students |
I started piano lessons with Dowell Idol at the age of 9, and studied with him until I graduated
from high school. He is a wonderful teacher—motivating, nurturing, patient, and conscientious.
He holds his students to high standards, which he balances with encouragement and kindness.
He always communicates the joy of making music. His teaching gave me the foundation on
which to build my musical career.
Thanks to his tutelage, I was able to attend college on a full piano scholarship. Now, as a
concert pianist and professor of music, I am able to share my love of music with so many people,
in a variety of ways. I am eternally grateful to have had good teachers like Dowell Idol, and
because of them I can be who I am today. Dowell was not only a fine teacher; he was and still is
a great friend.
Dr. Roger McVey
from high school. He is a wonderful teacher—motivating, nurturing, patient, and conscientious.
He holds his students to high standards, which he balances with encouragement and kindness.
He always communicates the joy of making music. His teaching gave me the foundation on
which to build my musical career.
Thanks to his tutelage, I was able to attend college on a full piano scholarship. Now, as a
concert pianist and professor of music, I am able to share my love of music with so many people,
in a variety of ways. I am eternally grateful to have had good teachers like Dowell Idol, and
because of them I can be who I am today. Dowell was not only a fine teacher; he was and still is
a great friend.
Dr. Roger McVey
| Dr. Roger McVey Assistant Professor of Piano University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
Motivating, Energetic, Prepared, Professional… is what first comes to mind when I think
of Dowell Idol. Transferring from Virginia, we quickly became aware of Dowell's
reputation for being an outstanding piano teacher. Unfortunately, we took the more
economical route, and went with other instructors. Lessons were becoming a chore,
passion for music was fading, and progression was very slow. We found instructors
who had no patience, were ill-prepared, lacked enthusiasm, and believed piano
lessons were nothing more than teaching notes. One of my children was ready to quit
when we decided to try Dowell Idol.
After one lesson with Dowell, everything changed. My children were excited again about
music. I highly recommend every parent sit through one his classes. It’s amazing to
watch how much instruction Dowell can pack into a lesson, tailoring the lesson to the
child, all the while providing continuous instruction. He has the unique ability to
recognize their strengths and their weaknesses, and effectively assess them and move
them forward to higher levels. Anyone can teach notes, but what he offers far exceeds
the norm. Children learn to play musically and technically, and they learn to play very
well. They also progress quickly.
Dowell Idol cares about his student’s success, and can take the student as far as they
want to go. My children stated that they learned more from Dowell in one lesson than
they did with another instructor who they were with for almost a year. We feel we have
wasted a lot of time and money by not coming to Dowell sooner. We highly
recommend Dowell Idol. You will not find a more qualified and accomplished instructor.
Donna
of Dowell Idol. Transferring from Virginia, we quickly became aware of Dowell's
reputation for being an outstanding piano teacher. Unfortunately, we took the more
economical route, and went with other instructors. Lessons were becoming a chore,
passion for music was fading, and progression was very slow. We found instructors
who had no patience, were ill-prepared, lacked enthusiasm, and believed piano
lessons were nothing more than teaching notes. One of my children was ready to quit
when we decided to try Dowell Idol.
After one lesson with Dowell, everything changed. My children were excited again about
music. I highly recommend every parent sit through one his classes. It’s amazing to
watch how much instruction Dowell can pack into a lesson, tailoring the lesson to the
child, all the while providing continuous instruction. He has the unique ability to
recognize their strengths and their weaknesses, and effectively assess them and move
them forward to higher levels. Anyone can teach notes, but what he offers far exceeds
the norm. Children learn to play musically and technically, and they learn to play very
well. They also progress quickly.
Dowell Idol cares about his student’s success, and can take the student as far as they
want to go. My children stated that they learned more from Dowell in one lesson than
they did with another instructor who they were with for almost a year. We feel we have
wasted a lot of time and money by not coming to Dowell sooner. We highly
recommend Dowell Idol. You will not find a more qualified and accomplished instructor.
Donna
| Shane, Shauna, and Cheyanne Piano Students |
