Piano Lessons in Scotts Mills, OR

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Synthesizer

For beginning students, I have used Hal Leonard's Essential Elements as well as Nancy Faber's Adventures series. For piano students, I like to use Hanon exercises to develop not only necessary musculature but also disciplined use of a metronome for practicing. For students interested in exploring music theory and/or jazz, I use the Real Book combined with my own materials explaining the theory around chord symbols, chord scales, modes, and the like. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

I can teach any skill level. If you are beginning with zero experience, the first thing I teach is middle C. It's the center of the universe as far as the piano is concerned. I also teach 'spider position', which is how the student wants to have their hands positioned. Intermediate students can dictate to me what they want to work on. If they just want to learn "Charlie Brown" I can teach that, or if they want a more regimented lesson plan I can do that as well.  I also have advanced students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My entire life, I have been dedicated to the study of music. From my early childhood education to present day gigs and songwriting, music has always been a centerpiece of my life. I have performed all around the world and am incredibly grateful for the learning experiences I have been blessed with. Around age 11 was when I first played the saxophone in jazz band, and when we started learning about chord progressions and improvising, that's what really cemented my love and study of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

My biggest joy is helping my students develop a passion for music and performing. Opening up the world of music to a student and seeing their progress over time is priceless. It is important that each student progress at their own pace. Setting goals for each lesson, and encouraging each student helps to fuel desire, interest and progress. By trying to find what inspires each student, I can successfully design my lesson plans to their wants, needs and personal goals. 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 Saxophone Clarinet

I've been teaching students young and old for over 15 years how to improve on their instrument or in their field and achieve their goals. To me the most exciting thing about teaching one-on-one lessons is the ability to individualize each lesson to the particular students' needs, abilities and desires. People take music lessons for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you want to join the school band, write your own music, play with friends and family, or just learn something new. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience hoes back to when I went off to college, to Major in Piano Performance, at the age of 18. I did it then you be able to have a little extra money, but then I really started to love to teach music. I started out teaching just kids because I felt that's all I could do, but then when I was about 24 a man my age (at the time) asked if I'd reach him and I agreed. Read More