Music Lessons in Pitman, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

For all beginning students who are children, but also adult beginners, I like to focus on vocal warm-ups and exercises to ensure that they develop the fundamentals of healthy singing. After getting to know the student's voice a bit, I believe that coaching solo vocal repertoire is essential to building vocal technique and confidence in performing ability for many different situations. When assigning vocal repertoire, I first like to find out what sort of music the student is interested in and also what their goals are in taking voice lessons and assign repertoire accordingly, but I also like to begin with songs from Schirmer's 24 Italian Songs and Arias book to strengthen basic breath support and a vocal line that is connected to good breath support. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Since picking up the drumsticks at the age of 2, playing drums has been my passion. 2014 has been a great year for me. In addition to being nominated for a Grammy in the pop remix category, I also received my first Billboard Number One single on the dance charts. I have endorsements with Los Cabos drumsticks, Ludwig drums and Paiste cymbals. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Each brand new bagpiping student will have to start with the practice chanter. This small instrument is how we bagpipers learn, rehearse, memorize, and re-learn all music before attempting it and perfecting it on the full bagpipes. Bagpipers have to know what they are doing with their hands so when they add the full instrument, they are almost on "auto-pilot" and can focus on blowing good tone into the bagpipe. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching lessons started back in high school, playing with the schools jam band. I'd give lessons for 20-30 minutes on scales, chords, circle of 5th and so on. After graduating high school, I moved to Los Angeles to continue musicianship. Giving private lessons in Hollywood I began to see the power of passing music along. I will never forget when I had one of my first few students bring a new song to me and played it all on his own. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For teaching clarinet students who are beginners, I use the book authored by Texas Lutheran University clarinet professor, Paula Corley entitled "So You Want to Play the Clarinet". Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I usually move to the Rubank books because of their varied content. If the student is working with a school group, we will sometimes work on that repertoire, but improving technique in general is always my focus. 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: Cello

. At my students' first lessons, I get an idea of their unique skill sets. Even with my beginners, I can tell what musical abilities they may naturally have. From there, I talk to the student about their goals for cello playing. Some may want strictly classical music training and others may want to expand into current popluar music or jazz. Once we establish a direction, I can assign appropriate method books and pieces that will put them on the right path to reach their musical goals. Read More