Music Lessons in Claysville, PA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Flute Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar

I view music education as a form of therapy. If my students continue to have a genuine desire to use music as an outlet for expression, stress regulation, confidence building, developing healthy relationships with themselves, etc, then I am doing my job. My teaching style adapts to meet the needs, interests, and goals of each individual student. I constantly strive to help highlight each student's strengths and work through their weaknesses. 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: Guitar Voice Violin Flute Piccolo Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Upon graduation from college, I worked with autistic support students within Pittsburgh Public schools. I secured my music teaching position working in the same district shortly there after. I taught grades kindergarten through eighth. I taught general music along with instrumental music and choir. I also coached middle school cross country runners for several seasons. Ive recently left the physical classroom but cannot wait for private students to begin teaching within a home studio or virtually of course! Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

I have been playing piano since I was 6 years old. Until very recently I have decided that I want this to become my career. I believe that there is a whole world in learning and understanding music. If people can learn its transient power it will benefit their lives! I am fortunate enough to have access to the organ as well as the piano, which I practice every day. I specifically like to improvise and get in a flow where time stops and I am fully immersed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For young beginners, I like to use the Faber and Faber series. They do a wonderful job incorporating reading, listening, and writing into the curriculum. I also think creativity is a huge part of music. I love asking students to write their own songs. When I play their compositions on the piano, their reactions are priceless! For older beginners, advanced students, and voice students I use a similar approach but with supplemental materials. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet

Seeing a student progress and dive into their own passions in their music career is one of the most important things of this art. I strongly believe that each student should progress in their own time frame based on their own determination, with a strong emphasis on a regular practice schedule. Also by encouraging the student's tastes rather than attempting to drill the tastes of my own into them, it can become a very awarding process! Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I've taught public school elementary band for 30 years, have been a church organist for 70 years, and taught piano and organ for 57 years. I accompanied church and school choirs and orchestra through high school and on into college and then directed such groups; so I know what skills are needed to perform and what it feels like to be put in such a position. Since I've been teaching so long, I can anticipate where in the assignment, the student is likely to be challenged. Read More