Piano Lessons in Rose Valley, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I love the learning process and to see students progress through the stages of learning an instrument. I taught myself to play the piano before I started formal lessons. I began playing the saxophone at the same time I took up the piano. I entered my undergraduate program in 1992, majoring in music education with the saxophone and piano as my principle instruments. During my studies at the University of South Alabama, a new program was started in MIDI and I attended an extra year to master digital audio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching my sophomore year of college teaching a beginner class aimed at teaching 5-8 year olds the foundations of music in a fun and interesting way. Soon after, I started teaching private piano and voice lessons to students age 8-18 as well as directing performance program shows. I have found that letting students pick their own material to work on helps keep them motivated and interested. Teaching music through song instead of teaching music and then song helps students connect the dots as well as making it more fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Mary has primarily studied classical trumpet, but also has training in jazz and world music. She currently plays principal trumpet in the Bravura Philharmonic and occasionally performs with the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, and the Garden State Philharmonic. Shes also a member of the Philly Bloco and the Bella Vista Brass Quintet. Shes been involved in many performance groups including but not limited to the Vassar Wind Ensemble, Penn Orchestra, Marsyas Ensemble and numerous Purchase Conservatory ensembles including the symphony orchestra, graduate brass quintet, Latin jazz orchestra, klezmer ensemble, and the new music ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Music has to be fun and rewarding for the students.  I find that associating music with nature and art and their social experiences allows the students to enjoy learning the piano from the very first lesson.  I cannot use one method for all students.  I identify the goals, experience and personality of the students and develop a method that is effective for each one. I use different methods to teach my students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am a very detail oriented teacher. Once a student gets a new piece of music I like for them to gain a general idea of how the music goes. We then begin to do more specific work. Once the student is comfortable with the notes and rhythms, together break down each phrase to make sure the technique is consistent. Because I believe every student is different and may need to receive information in a different way than another student, I can tell a student what is happening technically or I can explain it in a way that Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Ukulele

I have played with an extensive list of musical groups in various styles. I have been a part of the Hazleton Liberty Band (which has roots tracing back to the Civil War) and church groups since high school. In college, I was a part of smal woodwind chamber ensembles, concert band, choirs, marching band, big bands, and small jazz ensembles. I continue to stay active in many diverse musical groups. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

For beginning piano students, I usually employ the Faber or Alfred Series books. They are intuitive and the various books (Lesson, Theory, Technique, Performance, etc) complement each other well! They also have an "older beginner" series that is great for teens and adults that are new to piano. I also encourage my students to try composition, even if it is very simple melodies. This is usually after they have established a good grasp on beginning music theory concepts.  For beginning voice, we begin half with the essential signing technique as well as the beginning musical concepts such as pitch, rhythm, etc. Read More