Music Lessons in California, PA

Instruments: Cello

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music

I am a music teacher with experience in teaching students in grades 4-12. I have taught all woodwind and brass instruments, percussion, and ukulele lessons. I also have experience with directing plays and musicals. I graduated Slippery Rock University with honors and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree, Kent State University with a Masters in Music Education degree, and an currently attending Point Park University for my Ed.D. in Leadership and Administration. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been playing and gigging jazz music since I was right around 11. I work to make the saxophone into a multi-dimensional extension of myself. I was exposed to bands like Circa Survive and Lydia around the same time I was getting into monster players like Chris Potter, Kenny Garrett, and Chick Corea. My first love is pop music, so folks like Max Martin, Justin Timberlake and Panic! at the Disco are direct influences. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

Chinese pianist, Xuelai W., recently relocated to Pittsburgh from Phoenix. She is a sought-after collaborative pianist, chamber musician, vocal coach, and church musician. Her passion and experience for both instrumental and vocal collaboration have led her to share the stage with renown artists and young talented musicians. Before she moved to Pittsburgh, she was the pianist for Arizona Opera, where she has given close to 200 performances and presentations with the outreach program, introducing opera to the younger generation and communities in the Greater Phoenix area. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

For beginning piano students, Arias typically starts with John Thompson's piano methods books one through four with a focus on musical expression, literacy, and building a foundation of good technique. For beginning trumpet students, Arias typically uses Hal Leonards, Essential Elements Method. Depending on the student's progression and pedagogical needs, Arias next typically moves to an individually prescribed combination of Schlossberg, Clark, and Arban excersises combined with solo literature and/or etudes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I most often use "the Guitar, Phase 1," by Wm. Leavitt, published by Berklee Press. For this interested in Classical guitar, I use the Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Vols, 1 2, and Segovia Scale Patterns. For those interested in Rock, Jazz or Blues styles, I generally use "A Modern Method for Guitar, Vols. 1, 2, 3" by Wm. Leavitt, published by Berklee Press. For adult beginners or intermediate / advanced students, an hour lesson is recommended. My approach will vary depending upon the goals and background of the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music

Over the past 13 years, I have taught piano, music theory, and music composition to a diverse group of learners, including school-age children, college students, and adults of distinct backgrounds. From 2014-2018 I received the Graduate Teaching Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where I led piano courses for non-Music majors, and held weekly recitations and office hours for required courses for Music majors. This encompassed instruction in counterpoint, musical form, harmonic analysis, training students on dictation and sight-singing, as well as providing help with digital audio software. Read More