Music Lessons in Ford City, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I encourage progress. I love to see students become stronger and more confident musicians. I like to get students as much into "the real world" as possible, so I push for getting students performing as much as they are learning. I separate practice from performance, with an understanding that how a student sheds will be the core of what is possible in a performance setting.  Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I like to be encouraging and positive in lessons! I also like to maintain a certain standard :)! I think developing consistency in practice even if it starts at 15 mins a day is key to success. There is a lot of muscle memory and training involve and it requires consistency. I do my best to set realistic and clear weekly goals for each student and encourage them along the way! I find if one is consistent with practice, usually within a semester (6 months) or earlier, one can play their first song and feel comfortable to perform in public within 1 years time! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele Music Acoustic Guitar

There is nothing more gratifying for me than seeing my students grow on their instruments, develop knowledge, and improve the way they play the violin. I try to encourage them as much as possible, and I try to make them feel committed to the practice of the instrument as a fun activity for them. I set realistic goals for the short and long term, based on their needs, that way they can accomplish those goals and see progress. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I love seeing a students eyes light up when they get excited about music or figure our that they can now do something they were not able to do before. Therefore, I am a big proponent of encouraging and not being too critical. When a student feels they have someone rooting for them and not just telling them what to do, it makes the whole process that much more fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with either the John Schaum method book series or the James Bastien method book series. Both book series are fun, colorful, and engaging for the student. Once the student has progressed to have a better grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I consider myself to be a technical musician and I enjoy passing on knowledge about bagpipes to beginners and experienced players alike. I grew up playing pipes in Pennsylvania and began on the practice chanter at 10 years of age. Growing up near Pittsburgh, I happened to be in an area of the U.S. that had many good pipers as well as a successful summer camp program. This allowed me to receive fantastic instruction as a teenager, and I always found it to be very motivating to be around some of the top pipers in the world. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

Young beginner piano students begin with Bastien's Piano Party combined with my unique curriculum developed from years of teaching early childhood music. As they age, students tend to lean towards their own peculiar interests, which I happily incorporate. Such suggestions are evidence of student growth and engagement! Flute students approach teachers with different sets of needs. While working on school and competition music, I supplement tone development with Eck, and use baroque studies for technique. Read More