Piano Lessons in Rocky Hill, CT

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and began playing piano at age 9 with the help of my older sister who also played piano. During my high school years, I focused on composition, which became my main area of study during college. Through my college training at the University of California in Santa Cruz and San Jose State University I supported myself by giving piano lessons, playing organ and piano for churches, and working as a freelance pianist. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

Key Signatures Major/ Minor Solfege Roman Numeral/Numbering System Scale Formula Major/Minor Song Formatting/Arrangements D.A.W Digital Audio Work Station Mixing Plugins Auto-Tune The goal and learning outcome of this internship is to give students a rubric of how to arrange and format electronic composition. This will exercise critical and creative thinking abilities, encourage collaborations among peers, as well make learning an enjoyable yet challenging experience. This journey is not an easy one, but if you decide to explore the beauty of sound exploration it will be an enjoyable and augmenting experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Depending upon what area/instrument of music I'm teaching, I use a number of different materials, including (but not limited to) Tonal Harmony (Kostka, et al.), Essential Dictionary of Music Notation, Accent on Achievement, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, or Rock House Method (McCarthy). The skill level of the student also dictates what resources I'll use. In addition, I believe that the student should have control over his/her development as a musician, so I encourage my students to create a list of songs they wish to learn how to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

The technique that I teach to my students has helped me sing for hours a day, and has gotten me through the most rigorous performances with no vocal strain or fatigue. I always introduce my students, no matter the age, to the Vaccai Vocal Methods book. This book has many exercises that takes the singer through all of the facets of their voice, and helps them hone their skills. If I find a student is too advanced for the book, we usually jump right into solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every student is different, so the first thing I like to do is get to know them as a musician, where they are on their instrument, and what they wish to accomplish in lessons. I want to keep the student comfortable with what they are working on and at the same time find ways to go beyond the comfort zone. I like to incorporate music fundamentals with all of my students, including notation, scales, chords, and rhythms. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

From my experiences teaching in classroom settings, I have come to realize the importance of setting short and longer term learning goals for my students and adjusting these goals together with them as we work towards reaching these objectives. Sometimes the goals are very specific, like mastering a particular concept, or practicing towards a specific audition, and some, more general, like developing certain techniques which then need to be further explored and practiced by the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Ultimately students must really enjoy what they are doing to be successful in the long term. I try to discern the student's strengths and build on those. A sense of accomplishment and progress needs to be maintained with mostly positive feedback and encouragement to strive to be better. The students interests must be taken into consideration, whatever they may be while pushing to broaden their interests and understand the common elements in all kinds of music. Read More