Piano Lessons in Rural Ridge, 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 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 Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully customized my instruction to their interest and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Organ Ukulele Piccolo Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I typically start piano lessons with the Bastien Method books, but I have started using Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber, as well as Alfred's Adult Course and Hal Leonard for my adult piano students. For flute and guitar, I start with Hal Leonard's books to help get them started. For organ, I require students to have a solid background of piano skills before they start the organ. If they already have plenty of experience, I will get them the books that are needed depending on their level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

As a music teacher, I've been able to work with many different ages and levels in a variety of settings. Some schools I've worked with in the Pittsburgh area include the Carnegie Mellon Preparatory School, Saint Vincent College, Pittsburgh C.A.P.A. 6-12, The Yeshiva School, and the Center for Theater Arts. I have also been consistently teaching private piano in people's homes since I graduated from college. My work at Carnegie Mellon Prepatory school includes teaching the group classes for the beginning piano program, as well as preparing private students for recitals and competitions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

I have been playing piano all my life and at this moment I am giving private lessons to beginners and looking to expand my student base. I was an Organist from October 2007 to December 2008 at Our Lady of Victory, where I played for a choir with over 15 hymns in my repertoire and performed for a congregation with over 200 participants on a weekly basis. In 2005 I was the rehearsal pianist for Southwest Ballet in Carnegie, PA. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

Arias maintains a roster of trumpet and piano students through both her personal studio and the Monroeville Music Lesson Center. She serves as the trumpet coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and is the trumpet instructor for the Norwin High School Marching Band. During her graduate studies, she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. James Stokes at the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University and was previously the trumpet teacher for George Rogers Clarke High School in Winchester, KY; a counselor for the Morehead State University Summer Arts Academy; and an instructor for the West Union Performing Arts Camp. Read More