Piano Lessons in Harrisville, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I will use whichever book students are using for their band class in addition to Rubank books. I will begin by teaching fundamentals using these books, then I continue to teach solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For young beginners, I like to use the Faber and Faber series. They do a wonderful job incorporating reading, listening, and writing into the curriculum. I also think creativity is a huge part of music. I love asking students to write their own songs. When I play their compositions on the piano, their reactions are priceless! For older beginners, advanced students, and voice students I use a similar approach but with supplemental materials. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I began teaching lessons in college when I was in a piano pedagogy class. At that time, I also began teaching private band and string instruments. I had a student teaching experience where I was able to teach band instruments with students in grades 5-8. After that experience I accepted a job in North Carolina as an orchestra director. I also taught choir students, and I taught private piano and string students on the side. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For a beginner vocalist, I will always begin with standard bel canto vocalises. These promote, first and foremost, the health of the voice. They also build flexibility, agility, and suppleness within the vocal cords. As students advance, these vocalises become more and more advanced. The technique built in the vocalises eventually infiltrates a singers' repertoire, and appropriate repertoire choices are extremely important and made thoughtfully. Pianists begin with an introduction through scales and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Recorder Fiddle Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I continued to teach through college, when I also became a member of NAfME and the educational honors society of Kappa Delta Pi. As an undergraduate I studied music education, performed with cello in the orchestra, took composition studies and a world music class, and achieved an A for my senior recital performance on the piano. Graduating from Grove City College with a bachelor of music and a K-12 teachers certification, I have since been employed as a substitute teacher while continueing to provide private music lessons to students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I listen the music which the student has been practicing. Then, I guide him/her to make corrections and enhancements.  I use positive reinforcement to strengthen those parts of the performance, and suggest and demonstrate correct concepts.  Then, after hearing the piece again, decide whether review the assignment or move on.  Playing duets with the student is often part of the process. Doing that helps them feel the true meaning of the music; and also helps make up for a pianist's ordinarily lack of group playing because he usually practices alone. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer

My teaching experience started the last year of attending Heidelberg University when I was required to instruct a high school student drum lessons as part of my internship. After graduation in 1991 I had my first vocal student in my home. In 1995 is when I had my first experience teaching in a music store environment. The store was known as Howland's Music World and was there until 1997. In 1997 during my last few months at Howland's Music World, I was hired at Hubbard Music as voice instructor and piano instructor and worked there till 2000. Read More