Piano Lessons in Sandy, OR

Instruments: Piano

Having had the experience of putting in a lot of practice during the week, only to be too tense and nervous during my lesson to play well, I try to make my lessons a place where students can feel calm and relaxed. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For those students who are children and are just starting out, I'll have them work through a lesson book that I find fit for them so they can grasp the fundamentals. Once they establish the fundamentals, I'll assign them solo repertoire so they can begin learning their own pieces. For older students, I'll find out what they are interested in learning and go from there. Some examples of a main focus for piano lessons may be to learn a specific genre of music, learn how to compose original music, or improve their technique in an existing realm of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

For beginning students in piano, I like to use either the Alfred Reed books or the Piano Adventure method books. It really depends on which the student understands the best! Both offer a variety of explanations on musical elements and topics, while also offering a variety of pieces to play. Once certain topics and musical elements are covered, I like to have the student pick a solo piece from several that I will have ready, which will also reflect the new musical elements that were covered. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

There are lots of great teaching tools and methods available, and once I have an understanding of a student's current ability level and what they want to work on, I can make recommendations. For wind players, Essential Elements provides a good way to get started on an instrument. I look for ways to incorporate different styles of music from classical to jazz to pop music in addition to the important fundamentals you will learn from a method book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

I remember teaching my first lesson about 15 years ago. I was very nervous! However it was smooth sailing after that.  I grew up attending Harmony Road Music School, and they recently offered me a job, but I passed on it to focus more on my own lesson practice. I've worked for Beacock Music, Margie's Music School, and subbed at others, as well as had many of my students for 10+ years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

Overall my work is focused on discovering music with the students and facing hurdles as we go. For voice I often let the student dictate the repertoire and support them with good technical basis. My students love a variety of singing, soft jazzy or loud and belty. For piano i prefer to use the Faber methods. I have been teaching students up to level 3. For guitar I can use hal leonard or Alfreds but the Alfreds seems to move faster. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Bass Guitar

When I teach I enjoy seeing my students express their emotions through their music, and develope a passion for their instrument. That passion is so very magical, and I aim to encourage this with personalized lesson plans hinging off of the musical stylings of a musicians that my student is interested in so they can begin to build a unique and passionate style of their own. Most of all I believe that its important to have fun with music, which is why I consider improvisation an important part of my curriculum. Read More