Music Lessons in Ashland, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I have always focused on teaching each student holistically. I hope to influence students in their discovery of music through various modalities of learning, including visual, auditory, proprio-kinesthitic (movement), with a special focus on audiation. During piano and flute study, we explore the instruments as acoustical marvels and the students' interactions with them. Voice lessons always involve the whole body and mind. Listening homework is as important as practicing. I teach simple editing and technology to supplement the experience. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

I would define my teaching style as being both caring and encouraging while providing the proper amount of structure for improvement. Enjoyment is imperative to this process. The student will be assigned specific method books and I as the instructor, will review their progress outside of the studio space when we meet. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For classical guitar students, I've found the best methods to building a good foundation as well as technique is both the Christopher Parkening and Frederick Noad methods. The student also gets a great selection of repertoire to go along with the basics of technique in each. For all other styles of playing, I've found that the Berklee Guitar Methods work well in building the fundamentals in a students playing in the beginning stages. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I have been teaching private lessons for the last 6 years and began teaching in the public school system in spring of 2022. This fall, I will be a long-term substitute orchestra teacher for North Allegheny School District. My education at Duquesne was entirely focused on music education. I took various courses in instrument methodology for brass, woodwind, and string instruments, and studied leading pedagogy practices from distinguished educators. I studied cello with PSO musician Adam Liu, and performed challenging works for solo cello in my studio as well as orchestral works with the full Duquesne Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have been playing guitar and bass for 32 years, and I have studied with some of the most well-respected rock, classical and jazz musicians in the world, including Jeffery Mangone (principal bassist of the Pittsburgh Opera), Jeff Grubbs (bassist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), jazz great Dwayne Dolphin, Dino Fiumara (owner/founder of BSX Bass), Joey Granati (G-Force, Granati Brothers), and Berklee School of Music graduate Rick Mals. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach musical skills through the use of contemporary music while enforcing traditional concepts. I love to share the joy of playing drums with students of any level or age! For beginning students who are children, I start with some simple rhythmic concepts and some easy sight reading. When they have established some fundamentals on the set, I can teach them how to play a song that they love or different grooves that they will enjoy playing. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For younger students (less than 5), I think Suzuki method would probably work best! We would focus on small exercises to establish good posture and sound while learning mainly through imitation and listening. When a student is able, I do encourage some theory as to read music fluently and gain understanding of basic musical concepts. At this age, I also encourage weekly technical exercises (scales, etudes) to improve ability and fluidity of playing. Read More