Mr. McCune was my piano teacher when I was in high school. I had been playing piano since early childhood, and had had several piano teachers before him. However, none of them encouraged my creativity and independence like Mr McCune. Some of them had discouraged me from trying to play by ear, but he allowed me to use my natural talents to learn new skills rather than stifle them. He had a way of allowing me to explore my own interests in music while guiding me to use correct methods and technique. I’ll always remember, and often repeat, that he once told me “practice makes permanent, not perfect.” I always looked forward to his lessons and the feedback and direction he would give. As a relatively reserved teenage girl he made me feel confident and capable, and excited to learn! I only wish I had applied myself even more, and that I understood the valuable guidance that I was receiving at the time!