Music Lessons in Point Marion, PA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For classical guitar students, I've found the best methods to building a good foundation as well as technique is both the Christopher Parkening and Frederick Noad methods. The student also gets a great selection of repertoire to go along with the basics of technique in each. For all other styles of playing, I've found that the Berklee Guitar Methods work well in building the fundamentals in a students playing in the beginning stages. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I have been teaching saxophone since I was myself a high school student but my most serious experience has been over the past few years. I worked as a teaching assistant to the world-renowned saxophone studio at the University of Michigan prior to my appointment at West Virginia University. I teach in a variety of styles, including classical, jazz, commercial styles, and everything in-between. My saxophone studio at WVU features talented students from around the country. 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 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: Guitar Voice Violin Flute Piccolo Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Upon graduation from college, I worked with autistic support students within Pittsburgh Public schools. I secured my music teaching position working in the same district shortly there after. I taught grades kindergarten through eighth. I taught general music along with instrumental music and choir. I also coached middle school cross country runners for several seasons. Ive recently left the physical classroom but cannot wait for private students to begin teaching within a home studio or virtually of course! Read More

Instruments: Violin

Teaching my students to accomplish a goal in as small amount of time as possible may sound backwards, but it works. This does not teach them to cut corners, but rather how to be extremely efficient. I find much more success in students who need to accomplish something on 20 mins of practicing a day, than I do with students have no plan and practice for hours. I will make learning the violin a joy, I will fill students heads with as much knowledge as they can hold, and I will teach you how to make music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I like to work with students through the Rubank Method books. These are excellent books for any level musician to pick up and work from. I use these as a foundation of technique that can be translated to repertoire. Again depending on the style of music the student wants/needs to practice, I will pull from etudes, solo transcriptions, and popular music to start building the student's repertoire. I will also work with students on building skills in improvisation. Read More