Piano Lessons in Monongahela, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

For all beginning students who are children, but also adult beginners, I like to focus on vocal warm-ups and exercises to ensure that they develop the fundamentals of healthy singing. After getting to know the student's voice a bit, I believe that coaching solo vocal repertoire is essential to building vocal technique and confidence in performing ability for many different situations. When assigning vocal repertoire, I first like to find out what sort of music the student is interested in and also what their goals are in taking voice lessons and assign repertoire accordingly, but I also like to begin with songs from Schirmer's 24 Italian Songs and Arias book to strengthen basic breath support and a vocal line that is connected to good breath support. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I am a PA licensed K-12 Music Educator with current clearances. Having taught in various public and private schools for 15+ years, I have a great deal of experience working with students of all ages and at all levels of knowledge and skill. I have taught students in band, orchestra, music technology, general music, and AP music theory. My primary instrument is the saxophone, which I have played for 35 years. In addition to full-time teaching, I have taught students privately since the age of 15. 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 Trumpet Music

For beginning piano students, Arias typically starts with John Thompson's piano methods books one through four with a focus on musical expression, literacy, and building a foundation of good technique. For beginning trumpet students, Arias typically uses Hal Leonards, Essential Elements Method. Depending on the student's progression and pedagogical needs, Arias next typically moves to an individually prescribed combination of Schlossberg, Clark, and Arban excersises combined with solo literature and/or etudes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

I have been a private lesson instructor of students in grades 4-12 for over 6 years. I have experience and familiarity with multiple teaching methods and repertoire, and I always do my best to personalize the lesson experience for each individual student. I also recently completed my student teaching experience within the State College Area School District. Each day for a total of over five months, I worked with students in the elementary and high school level across bands, choirs, general music, and small group lesson instruction. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I originally went to school for education and completed a degree in it. Since then, I have had students ranging from age 8 to 78, and although I am typically exposed to students starting as beginners, I would be very excited to help intermediate and advanced students learn new pieces, genres, and help hone their skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

Young beginner piano students begin with Bastien's Piano Party combined with my unique curriculum developed from years of teaching early childhood music. As they age, students tend to lean towards their own peculiar interests, which I happily incorporate. Such suggestions are evidence of student growth and engagement! Flute students approach teachers with different sets of needs. While working on school and competition music, I supplement tone development with Eck, and use baroque studies for technique. Read More