Piano Lessons in Bristol, CT

Instruments: Piano Organ Music

I have extensively studied music theory, music history and keyboards (particularly organ) at the undergraduate (at Vassar College) and graduate level. I am particularly well-qualified to teach beginners and children. GRADUATE CLASSES TAKEN: -2 years of private organ lessons -Counterpoint, Harmony Form: 1500-1800 -The Liturgy, Ritual Chant of Medieval England (Sarum Use) -Church Music in Early Modern European Cities, 700-1700 -Perspectives on the Cantus Firmus Mass -Hymns their Music -Music Theology in the 16th Century -Music Morality -Theological Aesthetics -Sacred Music: Unity Diversity UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES TAKEN: -3 years of private organ, voice and piano lessons. (Sang for 3 years in the select chamber ensemble, mixed chorus, and Womens Chorus.) -Independent Study in Choral Conducting -Independent Study in Basso Continuo -International Phonetic Alphabet -Music Ideas I: The Power of Church Court -Music Ideas II: Enlightenment the Influence of Rationalism -Musicianship Skills I -Musicianship Skills II -Musicianship Skills III -Modal Counterpoint -Tonal Counterpoint -Harmony -Advanced Harmony -The Sound of Space: Intersecting Music, Architecture Physics -The Art of Orchestration -Composition I Read More

Instruments: Piano

Ultimately students must really enjoy what they are doing to be successful in the long term. I try to discern the student's strengths and build on those. A sense of accomplishment and progress needs to be maintained with mostly positive feedback and encouragement to strive to be better. The students interests must be taken into consideration, whatever they may be while pushing to broaden their interests and understand the common elements in all kinds of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For young beginning students (usually ages 5-7) I would begin with the Hal Leonard Piano Lessons Book series. After I feel that the student can properly read music and understand fundamentals of the piano I will begin to incorporate other methods such as Piano Adventures and the Bastien series. When the student gets older they will begin learning solo repertoire that is deemed appropriate as well as scales and other rudimentary exercises. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo

For novice students, I will most likely start with a method book such as one from the Essential Element's series. However, I will typically move students through the method book quickly and get right into performance repertoire that is appropriate for their age and level. Composing your own pieces and learning to improvise are extremely important in my method of teaching so I will also start teaching students how to write their own music as soon as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have been teaching for 10 years, both privately and in schools. I have taught voice, piano, acting, general music education and directed choirs. I emphasize a performance based approach to music. I believe that communication is the essence and purpose of music, and good technique cannot be divorced from performance. I find that creating an warm, open, non-judgmental environment in lessons allows my students to get in touch with the meaning of the music and allows them to add their own personality to their piece to create a truly individual interpretation and performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Music

I began teaching private lessons in 2019. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for student, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. If a student is not having fun in their lessons, then I am not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

From my experiences teaching in classroom settings, I have come to realize the importance of setting short and longer term learning goals for my students and adjusting these goals together with them as we work towards reaching these objectives. Sometimes the goals are very specific, like mastering a particular concept, or practicing towards a specific audition, and some, more general, like developing certain techniques which then need to be further explored and practiced by the student. Read More