Testimonial from Rita M., parent

Creswell, Oregon—April 7, 2010

Who is Mary Ellen Yost?

One can hardly live in Creswell, Oregon, for long without becoming familiar with the name of Mary Ellen Yost.  Sure she was the Creslane Elementary School Music Teacher for 30 years, but I became familiar with her name because of the numerous achievements (both talked about and reported in the local paper) of the students receiving private lessons from her.

When my son (Erick) began his piano lessons with Mrs. Yost, she immediately placed him in the Syllabus Program.  This is a vital tool for any serious musician.

I was very pleased to learn that both Mr. and Mrs. Yost are Music Majors and received degrees in music.  Both their grown children are also heavily involved in music.

Mrs. Yost does not simply give her students piano lessons, she offers them countless opportunities to participate in auditions, recitals and competitions.  As a member of the OMTA (Oregon Music Teachers’ Association), her involvements in the “musical world” help her keep her students up-to-date with musical events in Oregon, and further inspires her students to achieve higher goals.

Mary Ellen Yost is a most charming lady who is both classy and down-to-earth.  She easily earns the respect of her students, their parents, and her peers in the music circles in Oregon and beyond.  These qualities, along with her high standards, help provide her students with many opportunities to reach their full potential, not only as musicians but as well rounded young men and women.  Mrs. Yost not only coaches her students on their very important “hand position”, but their stage presentation, manners and the importance of proper posture and attire.

As an overwhelmed single parent on a very tight budget, (receiving Food Stamps most of this time), I did not believe I could actually provide my musically talented son with piano lessons.  Nor was I even vaguely aware of all these competitions, etc.  Thanks to Mrs. Yost’s reasonably priced piano lessons, my son took lessons with her for 4 years.

Thanks to her vast knowledge of opportunities for young musicians, my son was able to attend the Britt Institute on a merit based scholarship, and to participate in way too many musically related activities for me to mention here.  However, just to give an example, Erick has either played piano as a soloist, in a duet or as an accompanist (both for fun and/or for fun and profit) from Portland, Oregon, to Reno, Nevada, and from Newport, Oregon, to Beijing, China!!  Mary Ellen Yost has been directly or indirectly responsible for pointing Erick in the right direction, in every single instance!!

My son is currently a student at the University of Oregon School of Music, and Mrs. Yost continues to advise and encourage him and even attends his performances when possible!!

Our family will forever be indebted to Mary Ellen Yost’s superb talent in teaching music, her sincere caring and tireless dedication in shaping Erick’s future.

Sincerely,

Rita M., parent
Creswell, Oregon