Music Lessons in Durham, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice

When teaching both voice and piano I find music literacy vital. In younger students first developing aural skills, I like to sing and repeat tonal and rhythmic patterns. I also give handout assignments to learn notes on the staff. With older and more experienced students, I devote time in each lesson to sight reading and sight singing. I use the Adventure series books for all of my piano students, as well as outside literature. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

My goal as a vocal, beat-production, music theory, or piano instructor is to unlock your inner artist and cultivate what exactly YOU excel; not to impart my style onto you. I identify the walls that you have built around your true artist, so we can systematically break those down TOGETHER. Being a creative person means expressing yourself in your truest form. Often times we have these "ideas" about who we are, so we project those "ideas" onto our singing, producing, piano playing, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

For beginning students on instruments, I begin with a method book, usually Hal Leonard Essential Elements for Guitar and Ukulele, and Piano Discoveries for young beginning pianists, and Piano Adventures for older beginning pianists. From there, I follow my students' interests. For voice, we begin with breathing techniques and vocalizing, and then follow the student's interests from there. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My teaching experience began while studying at Indiana University, as I had the incredible opportunity to study pedagogy under Susan Moses and Mimi Zweig. There I was able to develop my skills as a teacher, and nurture my passion for education. I am a firm believer that given an encouraging environment and repetitions, any student can succeed in anything! From the beginning, I instill an awareness that cello playing must incorporate the most natural physical motions to play with beautiful tone and ease. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I have written 2 drum books which I use as part of a comprehensive teaching method. All students will learn an equal balance of snare, rock, and jazz drumming, as well as soloing. I encourage all my students to pursue their own style. More advanced studies will include Latin drumming and odd meters. Instruction is also available on mallet percussion, timpani, hand drums, and electronics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Drums Euphonium Tuba Keyboard

Erik S. s teaching style is supportive, structured, and focused on helping each student grow at their own pace while maintaining clear musical goals. He believes that students learn best in an environment where expectations are clear, progress is measurable, and encouragement is consistent. In lessons, Erik emphasizes strong fundamentals, including tone, rhythm, technique, and music reading. He works with students step by step, making sure each concept is understood before moving forward. Read More