Music Lessons in Gay Street, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

Students who are young beginners, I like to start with Hal Leonard's My First Piano. It's written for ages 5 and 6 full of excitement and imagination. Once the student has completed the C level of this book, or if I feel as though they are ready for the next level sooner than expected, we will move on to solo repertoire. Even tho this text is written for young children, I still like to utilize some of the rhythm games for my older students as well. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Since the age of 12, the study and performance of music has been a driving force in my life. As such I have developed to spend the better part of the last 28 years recording and performing as a drummer. I am most experienced in the rock, hard rock and metal genres but consistently study and develop a variety of basic to advanced drum set patterns, techniques and fills. These additional styles include Bossa Nova, Brazilian Samba, Afro-Cuban, Funk and Blues. Read More

Instruments: Voice

One of my biggest loves is to help my students to learn interpertation. You cannot know how happy it makes me when I see a student use the music to express who they really are. I try to make my lessons as fun and carefree as possible. I know the only wau my students will have any fun is if they trust me and themselves. I try to gain that trust and to respect it. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

My teaching style is relaxed and focused on having fun with music. I have had many teachers who have been very influential in my life and teaching philosophy. My biggest goal is for the student to make beautiful music they like to make, and I believe that enjoying the music is the best way to make that happen. This is because I think practice is often over complicated, in my mind the best way to become a good musician is to spend as much time as possible playing the instrument, and a relaxed and fun approach is the best way to get a student playing all day. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Recorder Oboe English Horn

My teaching method is tailored to each student depending on their level and what they want out of the lessons. I start out beginner students with a beginner method book depending on what instrument they are studying with me and progress to etudes, solo repertoire and even orchestral excerpts as they advance. We work together to find fun ways to practice and understand music performance in a variety of different styles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

For beginning piano students, I usually employ the Faber or Alfred Series books. They are intuitive and the various books (Lesson, Theory, Technique, Performance, etc) complement each other well! They also have an "older beginner" series that is great for teens and adults that are new to piano. I also encourage my students to try composition, even if it is very simple melodies. This is usually after they have established a good grasp on beginning music theory concepts.  For beginning voice, we begin half with the essential signing technique as well as the beginning musical concepts such as pitch, rhythm, etc. Read More