Friday, September 16, 2022
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_pink.jpg
I am deeply saddened by the news of Mrs. Saarkoppel’s passing.
Mrs. Saarkoppel was an amazing teacher and a wonderful person. She was someone you could call a friend as well as a mentor.
As a piano student of hers, I have lots of fond memories of my time with her, many of which were wonderfully inspiring and some admittedly a bit scary. (She had a unique way of letting you know when she wasn’t pleased with your practicing!)
Mrs. Saarkoppel had a way of getting to know her students. Many a lesson we would chat for such a long time that my lessons would go overtime, but she didn’t mind that at all. She never looked at her watch or seemed to rush our lessons.
She inspired me to follow a career in music education and become a piano teacher myself. Now, when I’m teaching, I often recall my own experiences as a student and tell stories of my piano teacher to my own students.
So many young lives like myself were lucky to have been influenced and shaped by her. It was a blessing to have studied alongside such a wonderful teacher and I will miss her very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Saarkoppel, Ingrid, Kristina, and family at this difficult time.
Sandra Gazetos-Sheikh
