Stephanie Finch
Stephanie Finch has been teaching and performing music for over 20 years. She has a multiple-
subject K-8 teaching credential with an emphasis in Language Arts. In 2015, she became a full-
time K-8 music teacher at Ring Mountain Day School in Mill Valley until the school closed in
2018. During her time there, Stephanie planned and implemented the music curriculum. In
addition, she was the musical director for three school musicals and adapted teaching methods to
fit each student’s learning style. She kept students engaged and motivated by using a hands-on
approach through fun games and theory lessons.
She believes music opens the mind and heart to creativity. Through piano and voice instruction,
she has guided hundreds of students to bring out their inner voice in music, and is always
gratified to see the light turn on. Stephanie enjoys helping students discover their talents through
practice, creativity and personality.
At Ring Mountain, Stephanie also regularly taught one-on-one piano lessons after school, and
she continues to take students, both individuals and groups, in piano and ukulele, through the
After School Music Academy. One-on-one teaching allows her to give more attention to the
students’ interests and learning styles. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of piano and
song, she focuses on rhythm and melody, which culminates in the students’ composing their own
musical pieces. She also provides links to backing tracks so that the students have more fun
practicing at home.
Since the late 1990s, Stephanie has recorded and performed internationally, as a vocalist and on
keyboards, accordion and guitar in the Chuck Prophet Band. With the band, she has toured the
world many times over and performed on The David Letterman Show and Austin City Limits. In
addition, she has released two critically acclaimed albums of her own, co-writing songs and co-
producing. Her “Cry Tomorrow” album was reviewed by Ken Tucker on NPR’s “Fresh Air.”
Stephanie looks forward to providing an enjoyable and nurturing environment and assisting your
child in his/her musical exploration!