Teacher Profile: Shirley Ann Friar

About Shirley Ann Friar

Shirley A. Friar is a long-time teacher of piano and voice. Her professional training in music involves studying music education and is also a board-certified music therapist. Her approach to teaching is holistic and is presented through core values of comfort and care for students in order to help them achieve fulfilment through the joy of music.

A gifted behavioral interventionist with the use of music, she often uses behavior modification techniques to help students uncover hidden strengths and abilities within themselves. As a skilled strategist and interpreter of the "music mind" connection, she believes the elements of music are effective in building confidence within one's self.

"The human potential movement is based on the belief that all people have the desire to develop in positive ways" (Adamek and Darrow, 2018, Music in Special Education, p. 83,124).