Piano Lessons in Rochester, NY

Instruments: Piano

I pride myself on instilling a passion for music and music making in my students. To do this, I make my lessons responsive to the particular needs of each student and I consciously draw attention to what a student does well as well as what a student can improve. In this way, my students develop a strong desire to refine and polish their playing and listening while acknowledging and enjoying what they do well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music

After receiving an Arts Leadership certificate from Eastman in addition to my BM, I am a huge advocate for music in society and believe it is a universal language that anyone should have access to, no matter age, ability, etc. I want my students to feel empowered and believe that they have a place in the world of music, because there is room for everyone! I encourage them to find their voice and use the confidence they develop through singing to forward themselves in other endeavors, musical or otherwise. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I think it's important for students to learn from all styles of music; but if they enjoy one style in particular, I believe it's important to study this style with them and help them to improve upon it. I love understanding what makes each individual unique; so I really listen to them and design a curriculum based on their likes; challenging them to appreciate all styles of music; and encouraging them to become fluent in various genres, time periods and methods. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Tuba Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Yes for teaching piano I use Nancy and Randall Faber's books. I have used all of them. For guitar and mandolin I generally do not use a "book". As the lessons progress I might introduce a book if that is what is called for. All orchestral instruments call for the structure of a book and I augment that with my own explanations. This is true for all ages of learners. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Teaching should be fun for both the teacher and student! I truly believe that the teacher should learn as much from the teacher as the student learns. Each person interprets a song differently and I want to allow my students to be expressive and find their passion for and through music. For vocal performing, it can be a vulnerable experience. The voice is such an innate part of you--no one's vocal instrument is exactly like yours! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Mandolin Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Conga Latin Percussion

Teaching, for me, began when I was in high school; I taught summer drumset lessons at McQuaid Jesuit and taught Karate at Martial Arts America. This desire to teach was incorporated with my love of music...leading me to pursue a degree in Music Education. I began performing and competing in fourth grade, which continued into my college years. In my third year of undergraduate work, these elements of music led me as well as three of my percussion buddies to performances and clinics (that we taught) at the New York State School Music Association and the New York State Band Director's Association conventions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Playing with one hand first, then the other, then using both hands. Working on rhythm and coordination follows that. For students that are in the intermediate-advanced stage, how the lessons go really depends on what the student's goals are and what they want to focus on. I have a lot of music theory knowledge and compositional skills, I can teach active listening, playing by ear, composition itself, improvising, arpeggios with fingerings, altered scales, hybrid structures of chords, tritone substitutions, voice leading, inner harmony, soloing, phrasing, and comping. Read More