Music Lessons in Laughlintown, PA

Instruments: Clarinet

While there are certain etude books and pieces that I recommend due to their musical quality and educational value, such as the 32 Etudes & 40 Studies by Cyrille Rose, I allow the student to chose from a list of pieces to ensure that the music we work on is engaging and fun. If the student is interested in learning bass clarinet or E-flat clarinet, we can work on these instruments as part of each lesson or in a separate lesson. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My goal with my students is to tailor a specific lesson plan for that individual's musical needs. Some of my favorite books to use though are the Rubank series. I find this to be a very good book to help grasp the fundamentals of the instrument for beginning players. Once I feel they are ready then I will move them on to specific pieces that are appropriate for their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I am an Internationally recognized pedagogue, and concert violist,, with numerous Master Classes, and soloes both in The Americas, and Europe. I have been a founder member of El Sistema in Venezuela, both as a coach, and as a teacher. An experienced teacher in the USA, have tough for many years at The Viola, and Orchestra Repertoire of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh; and at the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh at the Viola, and Chamber Music faculty. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I love being a teacher! I have been taking lessons since the age of three.  I've studied with many different teachers and I love music as a way of life.  I love teaching as much as I love playing and couldn't imagine doing any other job. I love working with a variety of students so that I can help them achieve their goals. I have helped a broad range of students achieve their goals from gaining music degrees themselves to being able to play Christmas carols for their grandchildren. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

For beginning piano students, Arias typically starts with John Thompson's piano methods books one through four with a focus on musical expression, literacy, and building a foundation of good technique. For beginning trumpet students, Arias typically uses Hal Leonards, Essential Elements Method. Depending on the student's progression and pedagogical needs, Arias next typically moves to an individually prescribed combination of Schlossberg, Clark, and Arban excersises combined with solo literature and/or etudes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Saxophone

For beginner students, I like to start with general music understanding before jumping into the specifics. I will make sure the students can read and understand music so that when we start with harder materials it will be easier and more fun. I will make sure that the students have songs and music books that they will enjoy learning and performing. I will leave it up to the students if they wish to do a recital. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More