Piano Lessons in Derby, OH

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

With beginners (children and adults alike) I like to start with the Faber and Faber Piano Adventures method books. I tailor each student's learning experience, creating an individual path to success. I stress the fundamentals of music (learning to read music, proper physical technique, etc.) in an engaging and fun manner. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

My teaching experience extends from my undergraduate years where I taught guitar at the Univeristy of Iowa. Since then, I have taught all age ranges of students, from age five onwards, both in person and online. My experience ranges from academic institutions such as The Ohio State University and Capital University, to workshops, lectures, and master classes.I set three primary goals for my teaching: to educate, challenge, and inspire students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I like to have a very laid back, fun lesson for every student. Reinforcing that every person learns at their own pace is very important, as well as teaching good practice habits. I also like to remind everyone that mistakes are normal, and that even the best musicians make mistakes quite often. Listening to music is a must for any musician, so I often like to find and listen to a little music during lessons as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

This usually consists of folk tunes or children's songs, but can be tailored to match the student's interests. More advanced students take their supplemental material from the Exploring Piano Classics series by Nancy Bachus. My band students use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements series and the Rubank Methods books (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced for each instrument). I also allow time in the lesson for students to work through any areas of difficulty they may have in their school band music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Learning an instrument brings to attention one of the strange paradoxes of life: something that brings us great joy can also sometimes bring us great frustration! (My Well-Tempered Clavier book with a tear down its front cover captures this point nicely.) Playing the piano is incredibly rewarding and fun, but learning it can sometimes be discouraging. So, I seek to operate as encourager, visionary, and coach on top of teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have been teaching piano 20 years ago as a first job out of a small church in Millersburg, Ohio. I had been taking piano since I was three and had been doing competition piano. I then went to Otterbein College and earned my degree in Voice. From there I started working for Music and Arts in Westerville as a piano instructor for 10 years. I went on to run my own business for those students that needed in home lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

No matter the age, i think it's always important to find out what genres of music the student enjoys. This is because they will most likely stay engaged and develop a passion for pieces they find enjoyable. For beginners, I start with the Michael Aaron Piano Course books. Technique such as finger placement, body mechanics, and scales are interwoven to increase proficiency. For adults, I will ask about their ability level and if other instruments have been played in the past. Read More