Music Lessons in Sturgeon, PA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I was born in Montreal, Canada and started to learn violin at the age of four, in my grandmother's music school. My brothers and I attended weekly lessons at the school and music was part of our home life. I quickly developed a passion for music and became a more serious student in my pre-teen years. I participated in numerous youth orchestras and had the honor of performing in Carnegie Hall in New York as concertmaster of Cleveland Youth Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For a beginner vocalist, I will always begin with standard bel canto vocalises. These promote, first and foremost, the health of the voice. They also build flexibility, agility, and suppleness within the vocal cords. As students advance, these vocalises become more and more advanced. The technique built in the vocalises eventually infiltrates a singers' repertoire, and appropriate repertoire choices are extremely important and made thoughtfully. Pianists begin with an introduction through scales and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

I am a driven player who believes ardently in the practice of fundamentals and the accuracy of intonation. I auditioned for the U.S Army Band in 2004 and spent 10 years traveling with the group. During this time, I played venues all over the world, including Japan, Korea, Germany, and Iraq among others, and learned to play many different styles of music. Since then, I have been studying with several esteemed musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and I hope to impart the lessons I have learned upon my students. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I have cultivated several concerto competition winners for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Philharmonic concerto competitions. A number of my students continued to study music in some of the most prestigious music schools in the world including Julliard School of Music, Rice University, Indiana University Bloomington, Northwestern University, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Carnegie Mellon University. My teaching prowess has garnered international demand and I have taught masterclasses in the U.S., China and Chile. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Flute Piccolo Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I love teaching and spreading the joy of music. Now that Im not in a physical classroom, I cannot wait to teach flute students in private studio settings! I graduated with my degree in music education from Westminster College in 2010. I taught grades K-8, choir and instrumental students in Pittsburgh Public Schools until 2021. I also have my masters in curriculum and instruction from Point Park University and wrote the music department curriculum for the district in 2019. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music

For young students or beginners, I start with a lesson book such as Essential Elements or Accent on Achievement. Each of these methods series have multiple books that the student can progress through. Once they have reached a certain level of understanding, I will sprinkle in songs that they know and enjoy, such as Disney songs, pop songs, etc. For high school students, I start with famous repertoire for their instrument or more advanced pieces they are interested in. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I am generally laid back and understanding of a student's wishes and goals when learning a new instrument. Most folks are not trying to become world-class players on the bagpipe and I recognize that. The more laid back my student is, the more laid back I am. If a student is very serious, then I will match that and be very serious as an instructor. I think it's important to understand why a person is learning, and what they wish to get out of it. Read More