Piano Lessons in Darien, CT

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Fiddle

I love having my students use notebooks to keep track of their own goals, practice habits and achievements. I think this is a great way to have them keep themselves on track and it's also a neat way to track progress! As a teacher, I like to encourage my students to be self-motivated so they can improve on their own. Taking lessons is obviously important but it is also crucial for students to practice the materials learned in lessons on their own time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Accordion Keyboard

For teens and adults that are just starting I love using Alfred's All In One Piano Course. This book covers piano lesson materials, music theory and technique (exercises). Adults tend to progress pretty quickly and when they do I will give them supplementary music based on what they most love to play. Many adults have had lessons as a child and return to the piano to study with me. And in that case I'll give them a quick refresher course and move them into what they really want to play as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I start off all beginning students by teaching them the fundamentals of singing. If students have taken lessons in the past, I work on reviewing fundamental concepts with them. When a student first begins lessons, I typically spend more time on helping to build the student's technique than on repertoire, and as the student progresses, I split the lesson more equally between the two components. I believe in motivating students by helping them learn the repertoire to which they are most attracted, though I do also give them repertoire of styles with which they may be less familiar in order to help them solidify their technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a firm believer in not re-inventing the wheel. I don't use my own lesson plans. I meet with students to see what they know and what they want to learn, and then use books, YouTube videos or tutorials to teach - learn with- students. A typical curriculum for me first learning the chromatic scale, then the major two octave scale. Then the minor two octave scale, then basic major and minor chords. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

My teaching began in senior year of my high school. I taught at Memorial High School Orchestra, where I lead cello sectionals, taught one-on-one lessons, and coached chamber ensembles. In addition, I received training in introductory conducting. I believe that with my lessons, I have a balance between having fun and actually improving. Practice is absolutely mandatory to further improve one's abilities, and I expect students to try their best. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For younger students, especially children, I will begin their first vocal lesson by standing next to them and showing them how to stand with correct posture. Then I will move on to breathing by having the child place their hand on their diaphragm. I will show them that it is the muscle right above their stomach. In the best way possible, I will explain to them that in order to breathe correctly, they must be able to feel their stomach move in and out instead of their chest. Read More