Music Lessons in West Groton, MA

Instruments: Lute Double Bass

For absolute beginners, I begin with the Sassmannshaus double bass book alongside other materials that help to connect musical ideas with something we already know well: speech. I believe that learning music is just like learning another language. We already know how to communicate effectively, we just need to learn how we can effectively translate those thoughts into music. Just like any language, music is structured in its own manner. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Acoustic Guitar

I prefer to do half-hour lessons for beginners and young musicians. After more lessons can be prepared, forty-five minute or hour long lessons are more appropriate. For trumpet students, I rely heavily on the Arban method for the essentials and then add other materials depending on the student's goals. For voice students, I begin with a vocal exercise book and a collection of songs to learn. For all my students, I encourage you to bring in your own materials to work on as well. Read More

Instruments: Cello

With beginning students, I use exercises from Suzuki and Essential Elements books as a basis for note reading, but I also frequently use "echo" or "call-and-response" playing. I find this is especially important in developing a student's ear for pitch and tone early on. As a student progresses and their musical interests develop, I combine standard classical repertoire that I grew up playing with song transcriptions of film, jazz, and rock music formatted to match each student's ability level and current technical goals. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I taught at the Boston Conservatory extension program when it existed. I went to japan and saw Suzuki as part of my training for teaching the Suzuki method. I belong to ASTA and SAA , SMS and AFM I've had students playing in the suzuki festivals. Students I've taught are now having excellent careers as professional musicians. I love to coach my students in chamber music. Several of my students have played in some excellent youth orchestras I have been giving lessons for almost 4 decades. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I typically start with the Piano Adventures series with my beginner students who are children. I also introduce songs they are familiar with alongside seasonal or festival music to make the lessons more engaging and boost their interest in learning. For intermediate students, I add materials such as exercises from Hanon or Czerny to develop stronger technique. I pair these with music by various composers so that, while building the foundation of piano playing, my students explore different styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Keyboard

I consider myself a laid back teacher who still has solid expectations. I understand that each student's feasible time commitment may be different and I would like to honor that. With that said, I expect my students to put time into their music, because that is the only way to make progress and to maximize their ultimate enjoyment of playing an instrument. I will set realistic weekly goals for each student, trying to balance their interests with my evaluation of what they need to work on to make the most progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started out teaching "house call" style lessons, driving ALL over the area, just to gain students and experience! This was while attending graduate study for Music Education as well. Once I built up a good following, mostly via word-of-mouth, I was able to teach both out of my home (upon purchasing my baby grand piano which is currently in my studio today), and then moving into a shared studio space. Read More