Piano Lessons in Garden City, PA

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

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! My teaching style consists of instilling a passion for music, and creating enthusiasm to learn in a safe, nurturing environment that welcomes participation, practice and music exploration. I believe that making emotional connections with the students helps to foster motivation and personal accomplishments. I think it is very important to make sure that learning the fundamentals is fun, and intriguing for the students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar

I began giving private guitar instruction towards the end of my college studies, and after graduation taught group and private lessons at a music school. At that school I taught a vast range of ages, skill levels, and instruments, from 4 year old beginners, to teenage experts, to adults who needed a brush-up. I learned the wondrous potential of motivated students with supportive parents as well as the futility of forcing an instrument or a style on a student that actually wanted to explore something else. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

I believe in tailoring music lessons to the individual students needs. This usually involves speaking with the student in the first lesson/lessons to find out what specifically they want to learn or improve. Once I've figured this out, I begin to find repertoire or create exercises that challenge this student in the respective area of focus. With younger students, I prefer to make an executive decision to begin with method books and then ease into more relevant material when the student is comfortable with their instrument. 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 Voice

This method is especially helpful when I am teaching very young beginning students. I thrive teaching children between 6-9. I emphasize consistent good practice for a short period of time. I encourage my students to fit their practice in transitional times. Practice after dinner, practice before your homework, etc. for 5-10 minutes. It is consistent good practice that allows you to progress faster rather than long unfocused work. I find my students love this idea and it gives them proper freedom in their practice. Read More