Piano Lessons in Gastonville, PA

Instruments: Piano Music

Over the past 13 years, I have taught piano, music theory, and music composition to a diverse group of learners, including school-age children, college students, and adults of distinct backgrounds. From 2014-2018 I received the Graduate Teaching Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where I led piano courses for non-Music majors, and held weekly recitations and office hours for required courses for Music majors. This encompassed instruction in counterpoint, musical form, harmonic analysis, training students on dictation and sight-singing, as well as providing help with digital audio software. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I use the John Schaum piano method course and theory and harmony lessons and supplement it with other music which the student may choose. The theory lessons provide a means to drill on the essentials by means of a work-book style in optional detached pages so that the teacher can take the papers and correct them before the next lesson. I prefer to correct them instantly and correct misunderstandings so that future assignments will be approached correctly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I believe that all students can achieve at a high musical level when they are encouraged and paired with a teacher with high expectations. The most successful students tend to be the ones that are taught by great educators that can elicit the hidden talents from their students. For this reason, it is important to find a music teacher that is passionate not only about teaching, but one who is also driven to pass-on a love of music to others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My number one rule for teaching is patience and setting small goals each week. Every student should want to pick up the instrument days after the lesson. Seeing someone learn a song and playing it through correctly is a mini miracle. Progress through repetition and different exercises has been a high yield of success in my personal experiences. Praise for when a student fulfills a goal goes a far way in future lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Once upon a time, one of my co-workers asked me to show her how to play some songs on the guitar. I can't remember exactly what those songs were, but I think it was Led Zeppelin, or something like that. Having never taught a lesson in my life up until that point, I reluctantly agreed, and later that week, she arrived at my front door with guitar in hand. As the lesson went on, I had a couple of "Aha" moments! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

2023 marks my eighth year as a private lesson instructor! I taught my first lesson during college for a local studio and have continued teaching ever since. I have been a church accompanist since I was 13 years old and have accompanied many soloists, school choirs, and musical theater groups - I even played keys in a few jazz bands! I specialize in classical voice instruction, but have found the technique is very adaptable to a variety of repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with either the John Schaum method book series or the James Bastien method book series. Both book series are fun, colorful, and engaging for the student. Once the student has progressed to have a better grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More