Music Lessons in Durham, PA

Instruments: Piano

I decided early on to become a musician and pursued this goal through my education. I started piano at age 8 and continued with them for the next 15 years. I also studied trumpet from elementary school through high school. After finishing my studies I began teaching to supplement my income. It would go on to be a full time profession. I love to pass on my knowledge of the art to other generations in the way that my five teachers did for me. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I initially focus on their setup and how to hold the instrument properly. Having this solid foundation helps in the future to avoid injuries and negative habits. After that, I use the Essential Elements books and Suzuki method books as a guideline with supplemental materials. At this point I would also begin introducing solo repertoire appropriate for a first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my teaching according to their level of interest, keeping lessons engaging and fun. Many times that includes playing fiddle tunes, which is very exciting to me too, since I have been involved in Irish culture since I was young. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I have over 10 years of performing and teaching experience in a variety of genres. My past private teachers include members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Delaware Symphony, PA Ballet, and New York Philharmonic. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style will be designed to inspire my students. I am extremely knowledgeable in music theory and all the technical aspects of playing guitar, but I also want it to be a very creative and fun process. There is discipline involved in learning guitar, but I am prepared to teach guitar in way that will motivate students to work hard and be getting better at playing but that is also fun and relaxing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Ukulele

I feel like I have a very loose teaching style that is grounded in the fundamentals. I do not put deadlines or timelines on any student's progress, and I also realize that each student's needs are unique to each and every person. I work to give each and every student a very solid understanding of music (being able to sit at a piano or pick up a horn and play music, be able to recognize and understand the theoretical aspects of music, aurally discern chord progression and when a wrong not is played to understand why chords move they way they do and be able to easily hear your own musitakes). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching upon the completion of my undergraduate studies in 2004. At that time the majority of my students were beginners in their first or second year of playing. By 2008 I had completed the first of my two graduate degrees in music. With this accomplishment the students seeking lessons with me generally became older, typically in the junior high and high school ages. It has been my priveldge to help some of these students reach their goals of becoming university and college music majors and scholarship recipients. Read More