Piano Lessons in Baldwinsville, MA

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

I always emphasize musicality in my teaching, because if as performers, we are focusing on being expressive, we'll convey our love of music! If a student can think about what the music is expressing, they will be more motivated to keep practicing.  I focus on the fundamentals such as tone, rhythm, dynamics, timbre, basic music theory and history. I always give specific positive feedback, along with a tip for improvement. Finally, I always go over how, how much, and what to practice in lessons, so the student can learn what to listen for and focus on outside of the lesson, and keep improving during the week. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

To me the most important thing to establish is a true, personal connection with my students. I like to know what activities other than music they enjoy, what their favorite/least favorite subject is in school, what they want to be when they grow up, what motivates them and what doesn't. This knowledge helps me to develop ways to explain sometimes difficult concepts in a way that is easily accessible and the student is then able to apply this knowledge immediately. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone

I have been a music teacher since 1972, teaching classroom music, as well as being a Choir and Band Director, in Vernon, Glastonbury and West Hartford. Especially popular were my guitar and music of the theater classes. I have also directed various musicals on the Middle School level, such as You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Fiddler on the Roof, Babes in Arms, Oliver and others. At times, I even accompanied the shows on piano as I directed! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Piano Students: I work only with beginners and I use Suzuki Method supplemented with songs of the student's choice. Voice Students:While the basis for my vocal technique is rooted in the classical Bel Canto tradition, my students do not end up having a "classical" sound (unless that is what they want). I firmly believe in the value of training versatile singers. We work on text analysis, and performing techniques that are specific to the style the student wishes to sing in. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I'm not opposed in principle to using any particular series of method books, and I can understand the advantages of using, say, the Bastien Piano Basics series to introduce music fundamentals. That said, I haven't found any pre-made lesson plans or materials that work for everybody. It seems like it's best to gauge what book, repertoire, and approach is best for each student based on the first few lessons, and customize the experience from that point on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums

Of course, every student is different, and an integral part of my philosophy involves getting to know each student so that I may learn their creative preferences, strengths, and weaknessness. I do not shy away from books, I do indeed enjoy working out of the Hal Leonard collection because I appreciate the step by step structure. This may apply less to guitar, however, if the student's primary ambitions are to learn songs by Green Day or The Beatles, etc. Read More