Music Lessons in Oak Valley, PA

Instruments: Clarinet

For beginner students, I start with teaching them the foundational clarinet skills including: embouchure, breathing, tonguing, and music theory. I then proceed to teach them the chromatic and major scales as well as arpeggios. I typically have students start off with working through the Essential Elements for Band and Rubank books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance or audition piece. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As a performer, I've been "1st call" guitarist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Musical Theatre for many years. I've also toured the eastern half if the USA and Canada with country-rock and "top 40" circuit bands, and recently appeared locally with a Journey / Foreigner / Styx tribute band, "Any Way You Want It" and a popular Casino / club date band, "Metro." I'm currently very active as a solo guitarist for weddings, corporate events, and resorts. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My teaching experience began close to 10 years ago, beginning with private lessons and eventually moving towards chamber music and alternative styles. My performance experience began when I was six years old, and I've performed in many different types of areas, including: Solo, chamber music, orchestra, classical and fiddle competitions, musicals, small jazz ensembles, and chamber orchestra. Being actively engaged in the professional scene allows me to provide knowledge of the expectations and necessities of a successful musician, all of which I pass on to my students. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe in making lessons fun. I listen to my students to learn what their goals are and develop lessons based around their needs. Whether students just want to learn how to play along to their favorite songs or they aim to perform live, I will use all of my resources in the industry to prepare lessons that will inspire, challenge and entertain them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

Teachers have a responsibility to serve their students in the best way possible. I want to teach my students under the heading of creativity, kindness, and knowledge. I like to involve students in setting their own individual goals. I acknowledge the individual goals and interests of students through choosing repertoire that is meaningful and engaging to them. During lessons, I play or sing examples and duets with students frequently in order to act as a model for certain concepts. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I started teaching while I was a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University.  I taught part time private lessons and worked for a Saturday Morning music program teaching Strings and Music Theory.  I have taught in public schools for 12 years teaching strings/orchestra to elementary, middle and high school students.  I have taught students individually, in small groups and in large groups and orchestras.  I have adjudicated at competitions and festivals and taught private lessons in violin, cello and viola over the last 30 years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Ukulele Recorder French Horn Piccolo Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

For piano students, I prefer Alfred's methods, whether the adult or for beginners. For band and orchestra, I use Essential Elements (or whatever their school is using), and supplement with Rubank's methods. For voice, I concentrate on whatever the student is interested in, with a foundation of good technique and understanding of the voice range and how to control it, with some solfege and sight-singing mixed in. Whatever the instrument, I follow and listen to the student to understand what they need, and change my curriculum to suit them. Read More