“Doc is the teacher I didn’t know I was looking for. Before I met him, I hadn’t allowed myself to connect with my deep yearning to become a player who could “let the music take me where my heart wanted to go.” That yearning was muted by the fear that I simply didn’t have that illusive “It”.
Doc revolutionized my understanding of the process of musical development. His array of methods have shown me how to dismantle my inner critic, listen deeply, and build up my chops. He’s offered tools and practices that have enabled me to realize within myself a wellspring of creative power.
Through my work with him, I am coming to see that the development of an uncomplicated love of music-making is inseparable from all the other aspects of my life: all are part of the same process of strengthening conscious presence.”
— Danny Bernstein, 42
Musician, Meditator, Software Engineer
“If you want to enhance your life and “soulfulness” through playing the piano, you have found your way to the right teacher! Simply stated, Doc Collins has changed my life these last 6 years in ways that I could never have imagined. He is a master teacher of the piano and of life. Just like a gifted sculpture, he can transform a piece of stone into a work of art. Your deepening awareness of the piano will soon become your art, filled with joy at finding your essence with Doc’s gentle guidance.”
— Michele Boudreaux
President & CEO, Corporate Soul, LLC
“After studying with Doc Collins for 15 years, I can say he is the highest quality mentor I have had the pleasure to study with. Not to mention one of the highest quality people I know. I began as a piano student in 1995. As he got to know my interest in spirituality and meditation, our lessons became much larger in scope. To be honest, my years of studying with Doc are not that easy to describe. Just the music lessons alone are a big part of how I came to be a professional musician today. But the spiritual guidance in addition cannot be measured in this short testimonial. There is a quality to the delivery of whatever Doc is teaching that you can feel, it connects you to a deeper part of yourself and helps guide you to your fullest potential. He has an amazing compassion and patience for each student. At the same time, he is able to cut through with a clarity and steadfastness reminiscent of a zen master.
Best of all, Doc has a wonderful lighthearted sense of humor. He reminds us that music is to be enjoyed, life is to be enjoyed. He will point you toward the center of your musical expression as well as to the center of yourself, but he will encourage you to find out the truth for yourself. He is also very skillful in guiding each student at the speed and level appropriate to where they are at a given moment. He does not generically apply a method or lesson plan. If you are lucky enough to study with a teacher like Doc Collins, you will experience the ancient and sacred dynamic of a genuine student-teacher relationship. The high quality of teaching and guidance that Doc Collins provides is not something you come across every day. But I would encourage you to find out for yourself.”
— Saffell Sproul
Professional musician/recording artist
Conscious contractor/painter