Music Lessons in Parker Ford, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching style is very transparent; I want my students to recognize what we are working towards and how close they realistically are to that goal. This way, the student and I are working together to achieve a greater understanding of their instrument! I love feeling like I'm helping a student gain an understanding of a topic, rather than simply dictating a list of rules to know. I myself have an appreciation for many different styles of music, so I do my best to help students understand stylistically what is appropriate, necessary, and customary about the repertoire they are performing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Organ Double Bass Keyboard

Therefore, strong emphasis is placed on being able to become calm, relaxed yet thoughtful and imaginative when playing. I also believe that a lesson serves four purposes. 1) Learning 2) Modeling 3) Experimenting and 4) motivating. True learning; however, occurs between lessons, so the most important thing is to motivate students to want to practice between lessons. This is the most important challenge -- for this reason, no matter how intense the lesson gets, it is important that students leave the lesson feeling confident and good about themselves NO MATTER WHAT. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

There is nothing quite like it. My own enthusiasm helps the student to "catch fire" and to also feel enthusiastic about the music and their progress. At the end of every lesson I give the student very clear goals to accomplish by the next lesson. For example, to play the music faster, to make corrections in notes or fingerings, to make more use of dynamics, and, on a more advanced level, to play the music more convincingly and on a level that the composer would have wanted. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons during my summers off over a decade ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 5 years. Encouraging regular consistent daily practice is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I have a passion for music and it is my goal to share that passion with as many students as possible. I like to tailor a lesson structure to fit each individual student to bring out the best in them. I monitor the students' progress every lesson and adjust the plan as necessary. It is part of my philosophy to put the student's needs first and do all that I can to encourage them to reach their highest potential. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Lute Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Then as we work towards learning songs we start to see an idea pop up in what we're working on. A light bulb goes off in the student's head and they say, "oh! that's this idea that we talked about last month!" Then that idea begins to grow, and it's not just from understanding the idea, but it's from seeing it in action - which seems to produce a stronger sense understanding and more retention. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My style is encouraging, easy-going, patient and understanding.  I explain things as many times as necessary in a calm friendly manner since I know students (and all the rest of us) don't remember stuff the first time it is heard—or played—or read. I encourage questions and discussions about practicing, repertoire, performing, and careers. To be sure time is well spent, I'll sometimes say, "Practice this piece just as you would if I were not here."  This way I can offer suggestions for learning pieces and methods more quickly.   Practice time should be a joyful time, full of a sense of accomplishment, and I am especially keen to help make this so for all students. Read More