Music Lessons in Valley Township, PA

Instruments: Piano

Music has to be fun and rewarding for the students.  I find that associating music with nature and art and their social experiences allows the students to enjoy learning the piano from the very first lesson.  I cannot use one method for all students.  I identify the goals, experience and personality of the students and develop a method that is effective for each one. I use different methods to teach my students. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

Moving from the public elementary school in the suburbs to urban magnet middle- and high-schools downtown, drums went from a retail hobby to a practice of cultural exchange and personal empowerment. My teenage explorations of punk and metal became immersed in and jams of the jazz roots and hip-hop futures of Tulsas historically progressive-black Greenwood district. Taking courses at Booker T. Washington in Jazz band, Concert Band, and MIDI-based Electronic Music, I learned to translate rhythmic ideas written chats, live jams, and/or mechanical drum machines, turning these barriers into bridges. Read More

Instruments: Piano

He tailors the materials used to the individual student but has most commonly used Alfred piano lesson books, particularly for young students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

For beginning students on instruments, I begin with a method book, usually Hal Leonard Essential Elements for Guitar and Ukulele, and Piano Discoveries for young beginning pianists, and Piano Adventures for older beginning pianists. From there, I follow my students' interests. For voice, we begin with breathing techniques and vocalizing, and then follow the student's interests from there. Read More

Instruments: Double Bass

Decades of symphonic and chamber music experience and a love of the noble double bass! Watching a student's progress over time is one of my greatest rewards. My students are encouraged to communicate openly - their interests, goals, desires, and even their dislikes. Prior students have gone on to play professionally or remain involved in some form of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone

It depends on the student. Every student has their own pace and I believe in developing a student where they are at. Music is a lifetime to learn and concepts are different for every student. I am very patient when teaching and I will challenge when I feel the student is ready for a certain challenge. Growth is very important to me because it tells me I am doing the job correctly if I can give a student more advanced level material and they are able to perform it properly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I usually teach from Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method for preteens and young teens at a beginner level. These instruction books are structured from Book 1 to Book 6. As for older teens, young adults and adults, I usually teach from the acclaimed method book: Hal Leonard’s Music Guitar Method. These books are structured from Volume 1 through Volume 3. Although I use these books, it is not the end all be all. Read More