Hello.  Welcome to my website.  I am Bettilu Davies and I have been teaching piano for many years out of my home in Beloit, WI.  Located on the northwest side of town close to a popular shopping area, I live in a central area with easy access to several surrounding towns.   I began teaching piano in 1968.  Besides teaching piano I am a free lance writer and artist.  Please check out specialized areas on this web site for more information about your own special interest areas. 

Writing has been of major importance in my life. 

• I have written five fiction books for major publishing companies.  The Secret of the Hidden Cave was published by The Zondervan Corporation in 1980.  "Really, Marty!" was the first book in The Marty Series, published by Moody Press in 1981.  Tall Trouble (1981), Marty's Double Life (1983) and Marty and the Scholarship (1984) completed the series. 
• I have worked as a "stringer" for Beloit Daily News and Shopping News, and have had several articles published in varioius Sunday School take-home papers. 
• I have written and edited national newsletters for Freeman Shoe Company and Banister Shoe Company as well as news letters with more limited circulation  for Youth For Christ and Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs.

I began teaching piano in 1968 after the birth of my second son.  Every student who learns anything is a success in my eyes.  However, I have had several students who have become teachers themselves.  Several others have been award winners in the Treble Clef Awards, an annual gift to talented high school students.  My students are active in the Beloit arm of the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs, which is part of the National Federation of Music Clubs.  Each spring we have a junior festival.  Students play two pieces from memory before a judge and are awarded up to five points for their efforts.  When they have earned fifteen points, they are awarded a gold cup.  For each successive fifteen points they earn, the receive larger gold cups.  One of my former students, Keena Spencer-Dobson receivee her fourth gold cup. and  Robin Miller iearned  her third gold cup.   Other current students are working hard to earn as many cups as possible.   All students receive a certificate for participation and a separate certificate if they earned a "superior" rating.   

We also have recitals each June.  Students are invited to participate and play for family and friends.   Students are honored with certificates for the hard work they have done during the previous lesson year.

I teach my students to read by note; later they begin transposition and recently we have, for some students, begun working on improvisation. 

Pen, Palette & Keyboard Includes PAINTING

I love to paint!  In past years I have painted landscapes, seascapes, and an occasional person using oil paints as my medium.   Lately, however, I am using acrylics, painting candles, plaques, greeting cards and Christmas ornaments. 

Some time  ago I mentioned to Gina, my daughter-in-law, how much I missed painting.  It had been ten years since I had seriously worked on it.  We have a small home that is filled to overflowing with our craft materials.  I told her that no sooner would I get it all out and it would be time to put it away.  I had a "Duh!" moment when she suggested I find an easily accessible place to store my paints, get them out one time and be ready to work another time.  Of course!  She was right!  I switched to acrylics because they dry more quickly than oils do. 

I have been studying Donna Dewberry's videos on painting flowers, have worked on drawing birds, etc., and have plans to study the works of other artists to increase my knowledge.  Since there were so many years when I wasn't painting at all, I feel I am still in the learning stages, but then I feel that way about every aspect of my life.  There is always more to learn.

On other pages, as they are developed you will be able to view photos of some of my painting projects.  Also, I want to introduce you to the great artwork Paul does.  He enjoys woodworking.

Please go on to the photo page to see more pictures.