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About us - Joseph Kurz the owner of Klassy Keys Music in Clarksville,
Tn. was born on October 1, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio. He was the son of immigrant from Budapest, Hungary - Joseph Peter Kurz. Mr.
Kurz began his education in music at the age of 7. For the next 10 years he was tutored by specialized private instructors.
One being Ms Sarah Hitchcock of the greater Dayton area. His musical learning was also enhanced by 4 years of private instruction
on the trumpet, 2 years with the string bass and one year of tap dancing. At the age of 16, Mr. Kurz was invited to teach
some of his friends' younger brothers and sisters. Starting in 1963, he enjoyed it very much, has gone forward with teaching
and has never looked back since.
Arriving in Clarksville at the age of 19 in September of 1965, Mr Kurz immediately
began teaching. He obtained a clientel of 11 students with the help of the newly opened Music Store - Hutchison & Williams
located on Crossland Drive. At this time he would teach by going to the individual's homes.
In 1967 Joseph Kurz enrolled
in the American School of Piano tuning located in Gilroy, CA and graduated in 1969. For the next 16 years, Mr Kurz in addition
to teaching an average clientel of 30 students, spent special effort in restoring and reconditioning older upright pianos
and in most cases this included putting on a new set of keys. On one occasion, after restoring a Black upright he felt it
needed a little "added" touch. He went to a local glass shop and requested a mirror to be made that was about 4" wide and
just the length of the piano keyboard. After placing the mirror behind the new set of keys and seeing its reflection, he exclaimed
" That's pretty classy! His 13 year old daughter who was present on that occasion said "Why don't you call that the name
of your business, Dad?" Hence, bringing about the birth of Klassy Keys Music in February of 1986.
Klassy Keys Music
specializes in helping young ones and adults to learn to read music well. Our "forte" is especially those who have had no
previous instruction and wish to learn to play for their own enjoyment. In addition to having over 40 years experience in
piano teaching Mr. Kurz has added the following instruments to his teaching ability: Guitar, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet,
Violin, and Cello. To date he averages 55 - 65 students per week and continues to tune on a regular basis.
Mr Kurz's
is assisted by two additional teachers - Sherran Stovall and Tiffany Hilliker.
Sherran has 17 years of piano instruction
in her educational background - 12 of these years being under the direct influence of Mr Kurz. She enjoys especially working
with young ones. She has shown herself competent as a Piano Teacher and is a fine addition to the staff here at Klassy Keys
Music.
Tiffany has a bachelors Degree in Private Vocal/Piano instruction from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West
Palm Beach, Fl. She comes to us after teaching seven years in Southern Florida. We are pleased to have her join our team.
We hope you will give our staff a chance to serve you as we our goal here at Klassy Keys is to "Make Music Enjoyable for
Everyone!"
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