Music Lessons in Passyunk, PA

Instruments: Piano

My teaching goals center around truly getting to know each student and tailoring lessons to fit their unique personality, interests, and learning style. I believe in setting clear and manageable priorities for each week so students leave lessons with a focused sense of direction. I acknowledging accomplishments and effort. I also try to keep motivation high by finding creative and personalized ways to incentivize progress and help students build consistent practice habitswhen when it feels boring! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I love the learning process and to see students progress through the stages of learning an instrument. I taught myself to play the piano before I started formal lessons. I began playing the saxophone at the same time I took up the piano. I entered my undergraduate program in 1992, majoring in music education with the saxophone and piano as my principle instruments. During my studies at the University of South Alabama, a new program was started in MIDI and I attended an extra year to master digital audio. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

At the start of the first lesson, I give each new student a questionniare to fill out that tells me their musical background, influences, goals for the instrument and what music they are interested in learning. If the new student is a younger child, I begin them with Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Book One. Once they have grasped the simple chords and melodies of the book, I begin to introduce simple songs that they are interested in learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Djembe

Playing the Drum Set requires strength in a few key areas. Hand to Hand Coordination, 4 limb interdependence , rhythm vocabulary and Timing. No matter what your skill level is we'll always need to maintain it. The saying is, "if you don't use it you lose it". No matter your skill level I believe it's important to understand what it takes to maintain the physical performance on your instrument. That's why I encourage students to memorize songs and exercises. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When I took piano lessons, my teacher simultaneously taught John Thompson, John Schaum, and Alfred's Basic piano courses, which was a bit overwhelming! For children in particular, I believe that John Thompson does the most effective job of working from the fundamentals up to the classics. That said, private lessons are very personal, and I'm happy to work with any student to find the repertoire that is most engaging to them. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

In the first lesson, I always make sure to spend the time gauging the student's skill level. For beginners, I will look to introduce them to Herbert L. Clarke's studies in technique for euphonium players. For trombones, I look to be sure they are hitting trombone positions accurately and quickly, using either the same Clarke book or by using the first exercises in Arban's essentials for trombone. At the intermediate level, I begin to use the Rochut etude books so that all students can grasp musicality and phrasing in a simple setting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

For students who are just starting to learn a new instrument, I would start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements method book. As the student progresses and has a good understanding of the fundamentals, I begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate for their skill level. I try to find out what all of my students are interested in, and I adjust my instruction accordingly to make sure that the lessons are always engaging, and fun. Read More