Piano Lessons in Green Ridge, PA

Instruments: Piano

I started playing piano as a young child in a small beach town in Southwestern Michigan. I was always involved in church choir, bell choir and school choirs. From the time I was 15, I knew that I wanted to use music to help people. I began pursuing a degree in Music Therapy at Western Michigan University, where I studied piano with Lori Sims. Upon graduating with a degree in music therapy, I began working as a music therapist on an inpatient psychiatric unit where I worked for 9 years with adults. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I vary my methods according to student level, age, and practice habits. For example, for the advanced high school student I often mold my teachings around college audition requirements and all-state, regional band auditions. Otherwise, particularly for younger styudents, I am not very performance oriented. I think it is more important to learn to "play" at music rather than plan and prepare for multiple recitals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Ensuring my students leave each lesson refreshed, revitalized, and energized is essential for me as an instructor. If the student is not fulfilled and having a great time, then I am not succeeding as an instructor. Likewise, creating realistic goals for each lesson as well as long-term goals is paramount to the success, continued growth, and progress of the students. Music lessons are a collaboration between the student and myself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

While my lessons are catered to each individual student, each follows a general curriculum that I have developed over the years through teaching. Method books are a great structured way to quickly get confident on an instrument, however they don't often encourage listening skills or creativity. This is why I structure my lessons around particular method books like Rubank or Faber while providing additional pieces, exercises, and improvising to supplement the book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Ukulele

I feel like I have a very loose teaching style that is grounded in the fundamentals. I do not put deadlines or timelines on any student's progress, and I also realize that each student's needs are unique to each and every person. I work to give each and every student a very solid understanding of music (being able to sit at a piano or pick up a horn and play music, be able to recognize and understand the theoretical aspects of music, aurally discern chord progression and when a wrong not is played to understand why chords move they way they do and be able to easily hear your own musitakes). Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I try to focus the lessons on the individual student. I use faber books as my main method, but also incorporate a lot of sheet music for my students' different repertoires. I have taught many classes on music fundamentals and theory.  I am also very knowledgeable about Alexander technique - a technique used to help those who suffer from performance anxiety. I am also well versed in music therapy and have used it to help people with mental disorders and physical pain achieve some level of relief. Read More

Instruments: Piano

As with the methods, the style depends on the student's needs. Highly directed, highly open ended.....whatever works for the needs of the student. Read More