Music Lessons in Southington, CT

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

I use several different method books for teaching. The books I typically use are Alfred's Basic Guitar, Mel Bay's beginner books as well as Hal Leonard's melody books. I teach beginner students the basics of how to properly hold their guitar, hand and finger placement, and simple note reading and chords. For more advanced students I teach theory and how they can apply it in order to be more creative. Read More

Instruments: Piano

In my piano teaching I have devoted time in collecting pieces for all levels and abilities. I believe students should learn from a piece of music rather than a book of sterile excersices. As such, I am a great supporter of those pieces written for children by composers. One example for all is Bartok's Mikrokosmos, where each piece is a migniature composition for children. I have used Bartok's Mikrokosmos for more than 15 years and also made my beginner students write small pieces based on those principles found in Mikrokosmos.To complement this approach I choose pieces from all genre and music styles for more advance students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Accordion Keyboard

For teens and adults that are just starting I love using Alfred's All In One Piano Course. This book covers piano lesson materials, music theory and technique (exercises). Adults tend to progress pretty quickly and when they do I will give them supplementary music based on what they most love to play. Many adults have had lessons as a child and return to the piano to study with me. And in that case I'll give them a quick refresher course and move them into what they really want to play as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have been teaching voice for 30+ years, from classical to broadway, and all forms of contemporary. I began teaching traveling to people's homes, and was so fortunate to have many requests and so created a home studio. I was asked to also teach in several towns. I loved and still love teaching and the students themselves. I want the lessons to be a fun and exciting process. I want them to learn. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion

For beginning students I run through a personalized lesson plan that caters to the students learning abilities and their pace of learning. I strongly believe in the use of a metronome and the versatility of percussion rudiments so I usually have most beginning students start there. As they progress through their concept of time and technique has improved I will then suggest to parents (if the student is interested) that their child moves on to the drum set where I bring them through the Time Functioning book by Gary Chaffee. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar

I encourage each student to build a list of their favorite songs. This helps them to always have something new, and something to review. It is very rewarding to see my students being able to play one of their favorite songs from beginning to end. I also help my students create their own original songs when they are inspired to do so. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My goal as a teacher is to instill a passion for music and encourage each student to become their personal best. I find that it is important to get to know each student's goals so that we can work towards them as a team. I am constantly pushing my students forward, but I make sure to take the time and remind them where they came from. It is easy to get caught up in how far one still has to go to reach their dreams, but I find that if students remember how much progress they have already made, it really helps to motivate them! Read More