Music Lessons in Collingswood, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning and intermediate clarinet and saxophone students I like using the Yamaha Advantage books or the Belwin Series. I like to use these lesson books and supplement with solo and duet material. I always encourage my students to bring in material they'd like to work on, from school band music to popular tunes they are intereseted in learning. I think it is important for all aspiring musicians to collaborate with others and make sure to play along with students in our lessons. I ask my students to plan their practice time each week, as I know how busy we all are! 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: Saxophone Clarinet

From beginning students to advanced students, I try to figure out what their immediate and long-term goals are. I have technique books for all levels and try to incorporate building a solid base before moving forward. This includes warm-up essentials, custom practice plans, and required active listening. Analyzing certain pieces of music helps to streamline the process of getting a student to where he/she wants to be.  Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

My favorite quote is: "All students have gifts, they just open their presents have different times."  I work with students where they are and at their pace.  I start beginners with Essential Elements 2000 for Strings.  As students progress I use Samuel Applebaum method books, traditional etudes like Wolfhardt and Sevick, Suzuki books and solo pieces as appropriate.  I teach Traditional Classical string instruction.  I will work to find pieces that students find interesting and keep my instruction engaging and fun for all of my students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

Arias is both an avid performer and educator of the trumpet and piano. She is currently a member of the Brass Band of Appalachia based out of Bristol, VA and an active freelance musician in the Pittsburgh area. She recently performed at the William Adam International Trumpet Festival; the International Trumpet Guild Conference; and was featured as a soloist with the Appalachian State University Concert Band. A native of West Union, Ohio, Arias grew up on a farm in the Ohio Valley where she spent her days either playing the trumpet for her adoring audience (her animals) or out adventuring on the farm with her horses, goats, dogs, and cats. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

I can teach beginners out of any books they might already own, but if starting lessons with me, the books I have available to send to my beginners are Essential Elements and Standard of Excellence. I have additional materials, like the LaFosse, for beginners who have a higher starting range than the majority. I write out personalized daily routines for all my beginners. For high school students, I help the student develop a daily routine which incorporates exercises from the Schlossberg warmups, Colin's Advanced Lip Flexibilities, Vernon's The Singing Approach, the Arban method, and sometimes others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA, now living in New Jersey. In 2012, I graduated with my Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Pedagody from Westminster Choir College. I earned my Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance in 2010, also from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Since 2005, I have studied with esteemed Metropolitan Opera soprano, Sharon Sweet. I have performed both domestically and abroad, making my international debut in Germany in 2013. Read More