Music Lessons in Haddonfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano

My teaching methods are highly individualized and responsive to each students goals and learning style. I believe that effective teaching begins with understanding the person in front of mewhether theyre aiming to strengthen their technique, deepen their musicality, learn music theory, master the basics, or prepare for competitions. From there, we collaborate to create a personalized plan thats both motivating and structured. Im committed to meeting students where they are and guiding them toward their goals with patience and encouragement. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to start with learning the Pentatonic scale in it's 1st position and show how it can be played in 5 positions based on the components of the scale being built on 5 notes, or intervals. We'll look at the C major/A minor scales on every string to show where all of the natural notes are on the individual strings and then expand upon playing them in modes, and move on to another key to show how these scale patterns are inter related with all 12 keys followed by learning the chord shapes in open and closed positions and how and where to utilize them in songs or in a blues/jazz sensibility. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I knew that I wanted to be a teacher before I ever touched a guitar. Growing up in a family of school teachers allowed me to see the broad spectrum of the educaGonal process, from designing lesson plans to filing report cards, and I quickly realized that a teacher doesn’t stop working when the bell rings. Teaching history out of a textbook is one thing...teaching a student to hear the color of an altered dominant chord is a totally different beast. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

It is important for both me and my student to have long-term and short-term goals. Long-term goals may have to do with technique--for voice, examples may be releasing tension or singing with proper breath support. Short term goals are more linked to repertoire and can be technical or musical. An example on the piano may be playing through a piece with a particular metronome marking. I have each of my students use a practice log so both the student and I can keep track of short-term goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Mary has primarily studied classical trumpet, but also has training in jazz and world music. She currently plays principal trumpet in the Bravura Philharmonic and occasionally performs with the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, and the Garden State Philharmonic. Shes also a member of the Philly Bloco and the Bella Vista Brass Quintet. Shes been involved in many performance groups including but not limited to the Vassar Wind Ensemble, Penn Orchestra, Marsyas Ensemble and numerous Purchase Conservatory ensembles including the symphony orchestra, graduate brass quintet, Latin jazz orchestra, klezmer ensemble, and the new music ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Electric Violin Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For my students learning guitar, bass guitar or ukulele, I recommend the Hal Leonard Series. Depending on the age and level of the student, there are a number of options to pick from, which allows me to get just the right fit! Along with the method book, I recommend what's called a blank TAB book which is used to write down chords, exercises and songs. Although the method books are important in guiding the students' progress and developing their technique, they are just a piece of the bigger picture. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

In highschool I worked with a music mentoring program.  I would travel to local elementary schools and teach children from 2nd to 4th grade violin in small groups.  This cultivated my love of teaching.  Though in college I never had the opportunity to teach privately due to my busy schedule, during breaks I would often give masterclass style lessons to students of my former teacher Michael Bandimere when they were preparing for performances or auditions. Read More