Many people do not thank the individuals who help them. Others would like to recognize those who have assisted them but they are not sure how to show their appreciation. Khalia Rochelle is not one of these people. She takes pride in recognizing those who helped her become who she is today, a successful music teacher and performer. This is her story.

Educator & Performer

Khalia is a special education teacher in the New York City Public School System. For the past 20 years she has taught music to special needs students of various ages. Khalia also is a concert pianist who created a website featuring activities to help students with developmental and other disabilities participate in writing and playing music.

The website, www.specialneedsmusic.com, includes lesson plans, work sheets, and suggested goals for classroom activities and home study. Information about vocal and piano techniques is available as well as suggestions for assembly programs and activities like gesturing, miming, and movement in music.

According to Khaila, "For many people with developmental disabilities, being able to play an instrument or sing at a level which is both therapeutic, creative, and educational is a great achievement."

Music & Language

Khalia explained that students sometimes use music to learn language. She said, "My website offers activities in music that can enhance the learning of English. It is a rewarding experience to use a picture dictionary with the songs. Some of the activities are scripted in simple directions that can be easily translated into other languages and repeated. They are appropriate for children of all ages. It is certainly fun to increase one's vocabulary through singing lyrical, descriptive songs. The songs are about nature, animals, daily life, and the weather."

She then started to talk with pride and happiness about several Latin American musicians who have played an important role in her life. Khalia remarked, "I was blessed with the experience of learning piano from two immigrants from Latin America. My piano teachers, José Aldaz and German Diez, are both highly educated and effective instructors who teach with great imagination and skill."

Khalia's Teachers/Mentors

She added, "Both of my teachers were pupils of the great Chilean Pianist Claudio Arrau. They helped me overcome the effects of spinal problems in order to play the piano and incorporate the teachings of Claudio Arrau into my technique and approach to learning classical piano music."

"In fact, it was the patient teaching of German Diez, a Cuban immigrant, that enabled me to continue to play piano after my accident, to the point where I performed concerts with orchestras very early on during my recovery," said Khalia.

"The Mexican born pianist José Aldaz did much to engrain concepts regarding the use of my shoulder muscles much needed to overcome serious orthopedic challenges into my playing. He taught me to press into the keys and use my hands in more flexible manner. I am happy to say that thanks to José I can play pieces by the Spanish composers Enrique Granados and Manuel de Falla."