Flute Lessons in Norvelt, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My goal with my students is to tailor a specific lesson plan for that individual's musical needs. Some of my favorite books to use though are the Rubank series. I find this to be a very good book to help grasp the fundamentals of the instrument for beginning players. Once I feel they are ready then I will move them on to specific pieces that are appropriate for their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

I currently start teaching piano from the Faber method books, as they encourage the students move around the piano using different fingerings. We play flash card games, and sometimes use music apps to help learn the notes on the staff, while playing clapping ryhythm games most lessons. I also teach from the alfred method books as well as the alfred adult series. Congregational hymnplaying is taught using the students' own church hymnal, encouraging the student to start playing in church through preludes, eventually leading into playing for the congregation as ready. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I’m a performer as well as a teacher. I’ve been on tour with operas, and I have led choirs and instrumental ensembles. I’ve been teaching private lessons for 30 years, since I was in college. I’ve worked as a professional singer and instrumentalist since high school. My experience has focused on classical repertoire. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching students from infancy to older adults. I’ve studied solfeggio, Orff Schulwerk, and Dalcroze Eurythmics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Organ Ukulele Piccolo Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have my students record how long they practice each day to see if they meet the required goal of practicing 15mins-30 minutes for a beginner student every day, to up to an hour of practice for more advanced students. If they achieve the goal of practicing from 5-7 times a week, they will be rewarded in some way to show that I appreciate their hard work with candy/stickers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Ukulele Recorder French Horn Piccolo Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

My students describe me as passionate, creative, interesting, and fun! After getting my bachelor's degree in music education from University of Maryland, I taught general, band, and strings in Montgomery County in Maryland. Then I taught ukulele, keyboard, drums, guitar, band, and choir in Dayton, Ohio. Now I am excited to teach lessons in Pittsburgh. While my main instrument is saxophone, where I teach all levels, I love to teach beginners on a variety of instruments, from voice and piano to keyboard and djembe! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I believe it is important for any teacher to be patient and compassionate. Every student is different in their abilities and learning processes. So I remain flexible in trying new ways to keep students engaged and not be distracted if certain techniques become difficult. Unlike a course where you receive a grade, lessons are like coaching sessions. Similar to coaching sports, consistent workouts and drills help build the foundation to perform. Read More