Music Lessons in California, PA

Instruments: Clarinet

My goal as a teacher is to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for music and the clarinet with my students. I prioritize creating a strong “toolkit” of fundamental skills that we can use for all of the music we perform. Beyond teaching these fundamental skills, I find it important to introduce my students to historical and modern repertoire, clarinet and music history, audition and performance strategies, and other important musical skills. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

In my fifteen years on the saxophone, I've played in all sorts of musical environments and styles, equally comfortable sitting in a swing band as standing in front of an orchestra. No matter what skill level you are or what genre you're hoping to learn, I will be able to help you find ways to improve your sound and style. As my student, you will develop not just your finger work, tonguing, and breathing, but also fundamental listening and analyzing skills that will help you become a more well-rounded, thoughtful, and expressive musician. Read More

Instruments: Drums

As far as my methods for teaching I want to learn a little bit about your background in music, what your influences are, what you would like to get out of this, and what you see yourself doing with these lessons in our first meeting(s). From there I will compose a lesson plan on what I think will best suit you to learn everything you need to know. My plan for you will consist of a background on music theory, a learning of rudiments that every drummer should know, as well as ear training. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar

My diverse musical upbringing included piano, guitar, bass, singing, and recording in any style I could think of. I went on to play bass guitar at a professional level in bar bands and on cruise ships, and piano and organ at a professional level in churches. I've studied the drums voraciously for the past decade, playing rock and jazz with musically adventurous friends and colleagues. I bring the ears of a well-rounded musician to the instrument, and my deep experience as a bassist influence my choices at the drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

2023 marks my eighth year as a private lesson instructor! I taught my first lesson during college for a local studio and have continued teaching ever since. I have been a church accompanist since I was 13 years old and have accompanied many soloists, school choirs, and musical theater groups - I even played keys in a few jazz bands! I specialize in classical voice instruction, but have found the technique is very adaptable to a variety of repertoire. 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: Piano Music

I am a patient and empathetic teacher who puts students' needs first instead of enforcing my ideas on them. I am currently completing my PhD in Music Theory and Composition at the University of Pittsburgh, where I just defended my dissertation for graduation. I did my Masters at Manhattan School of Music in Music Composition. Prior to my PhD studies, I also taught piano and music theory at Brooklyn Musical Arts. Read More