Piano Lessons in Collingdale, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice

If a student isn't having fun learning the instrument then I am doing something wrong! Learning should be fun and a joy not a chore. I try to encourage the students to practice without being told to do so. With that comes a joy of doing it on your own and for themselves not for anyone else. Lessons in my studio are to compliment each students experiences and desires. Since teaching piano from my early college days until now, I find that students have many more interests than just music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I keep a "Piano Homework Assignment" Word document for each student on my laptop which I can then email to you after your lesson is over for reference during the week.  A usual assignment would consist of a "Warm Up" section where we focus on hand position or scales or technique, a "Lesson Book" or "Repertoire" section where we work on new pieces or songs, a "Theory" section for written assignments, a "Fun" list for pieces we are done with but want to keep playing just for fun and then a number of special sections depending on student interest.  Special sections might be things like - improvisation, composition, playing by ear, recital or competition prep, exam prep, sight reading, ear training, etc.  I'm comfortable in few method series but I prefer Faber Piano Adventures for typical beginning children and The Music Tree for very young beginners.  I try to make sure each student has a piece they love every week. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use a variety of methods for my teaching style. I usually have a few method books that I bring to a first lesson, and after meeting the student I will decide on the best one. Once the student has progressed and shows some motivation to be slightly challenged, I'll introduce "popular" music so that the student feels a sense of accomplishment! Music is associated with movies, radio, etc., so to be able to play something recognizable is exciting for the student and the teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching style, particularly with my younger students, is to combine yoga-like breathing and proper posture to develop their voice naturally. I find that it does not matter which style of singing you would like to learn or how you would like to use your voice, breathing and breath work are an essential foundation to wonderful music making. I like to teach voice in a free, forgiving environment where mistakes are encouraged. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I started teaching from my home in 1976. I have been teaching at a studio near my home since 1999. I have taught from ages five to sixty-eight, from beginner to advanced. Some of my former students are now professional pianists. I took up the flute in 1985 in order to work with my husband, a classical guitarist, and we have been making beautiful music together. I have also been playing duets with myself bh means of my keyboard which has the ability to record and play back. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Electric Violin

When it comes to teaching beginner piano, my philosophy is to avoid making lessons and assignments feel like a monotonous chore. If a student feels overwhelmed and/or uninterested in completing assignments and attending lessons, it can have the same affect as being assigned too much school work and house chores; the student will most likely lose interest in learning. As a young musician, I make sure that my students look forward to their lessons by reinforcing the idea of music as a form of artistic expression. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Learning a musical instrument is very challenging and for most of us it doesn't come naturally. It's unfortunate when students become frustrated too quickly in the process and decide to quit out of frustration. In my style of teaching, it's very important that students feel some level of success no matter where they are in their own musical journey. Often I will perform lesson materials in unison along with students to help them if they are feeling anxious or uncomfortable. Read More