Piano Lessons in Midvale, UT

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

I love teaching students how to read the music. It really makes my day when they can play a piece and enjoy the music. I want them to then go forth and share the joy with others. Usually I play a piece over and over until I get it, then I have a little fun with it.I enjoy teaching music as a substitute teacher. I currently play piano or organ at 3 different congregations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Students are able to select their own music and share their interests with me. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I employ methods from the Peery Piano Academy by Christie Skousen, as well as added techniques I have found to be most helpful. I utilize fun games, flashcards, and a rewards system that encourages my students to stay focused on the task at hand while learning and retaining new information. I keep an organized studio and adjust my teaching to each student according to age, goals, and skill level. I tend to bounce between different materials depending on the need of the student and have used Faber Faber, Alfred, and Keith Snell. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For young beginners I start them in the Alfred Basics Books. I work to help students learn their notes quickly. I think that it is extremely important that students learn to read the notes from the staff and correlate staff reading with the notes on the piano. I give each of my students an exercise to begin their practicing each day. This exercise includes scales, arpeggios, cadences, transposing and sight reading. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute

For guitar- I studied under Mike Christensen at Utah States University. I use his guitar books that he has written. For piano- I use Alfred''s piano books. They are very well written and are geared for success! For flute- I start with Suzuki and then the sky is the limit! I like playing music theory games with kids. It is more enjoyable to learn this when it is a game. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I tend to be more laid back and relaxed. I want students to feel comfortable making mistakes, improvisation and creating their own sounds without fear of harsh criticism. I set up goals for each student based on their interests and what I feel is going to help them advance. This will include genres they may not like but I want to give them experience with a variety of different sounds and rhythms. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Keyboard

I approach piano and violin instruction from a foundational, constructive perspective, combined with building rapport and reciprocal clarifying communications. Essentially this means that the student and I interact to build understanding by using the familiar to grasp the unfamiliar. An example is: When teaching hand position, I use the natural position the student already has when the hand is relaxed to build the hand playing position. The student is encouraged to ask questions, to feel free to make mistakes in order to take the risks necessary for true understanding and growth, and to engage in productive discussion leading to personal clarity with regard to their playing. Read More