Piano Lessons in Scottsdale, AZ

Instruments: Piano Recorder Music

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
My students always place well in state exams and competitions. A number of my students have received full or partial scholarships to prestigious college prep schools and universities.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use a combination of methods as early on, I observed that students raised in one particular method tended to get stuck within the method and to not be as flexible as they could be. Probably the most classic way to get stuck is "I can only play with my right hand, all the left hand can do is chords". Really sad, as one goes to a teacher to eventually become independent and able to figure out things on your own. WHAT I USE: At the beginning we use: John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course book 1 & 2 and his Theory Drill Games, books 1-3. We also use, Alfred D'Auberge's Piano Course book 1. For the very young students, I use Music for Little Mozarts, levels 1-4 and we do the lesson book, workbook, discovery book, flash cards, the small stuffed Mozart Mouse & Beethoven Bear, and both CD's. In addition, beginning piano students also use either the Bastien Piano Course Primer or the Bastien Piano Course for the Young Beginner, books A&B. Most of the Music for Little Mozarts students continue to use the Bastien series. As they get a bit more advanced, we add the Schaum Piano Course Technique Book I to drill on accuracy, speed and the use of the metronome. I teach most scales, 5 finger patterns, warm ups, chord patterns, etc by rote. I've also been experimenting with the new method by Faber and Faber. Once the above is finished or close to finished we switch to Leila Fletcher's "We Like to Play Piano Solos", a great book for recitals. By the time they are done, the students are comfortable with simple moves and directions and playing multiple notes at the same time. We add Hanon 1 and later add number 2, A Dozen a Day Prep, Schultz's Technique Tricks, Keith Snell's Fundamentals of Piano Theory, book preparatory and later book 1, and Alfred's Piano Course Ear Training, book 1. Other books that may be used, might include: Patriotic Primer by Schaum, Christmas and other holiday music, or special books on folk tunes, hymns and pop. It depends on the student. After the Fletcher book is done we switch into "A Day in the Jungle" by Jon George. I use this book to first really begin work on expression in music. We add a book or books of classical music that represent the 4 basic periods of music and continue on in Hanon, A Dozen a Day, the Snell Theory books and various miscellaneous books as noted before. During summer vacations I usually introduce basic Jazz and Blues, composition, and music hi

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Very much so. My Dad's family only appreciated it a lot, but in my Mom's family, everyone sings, everyone plays at least 1 instrument and at least a little piano, and if it is only a little piano, it's because they specialized in another instrument. Only an uncle an I make a living at it, but music is very much a part of everyday life. My uncle is a master violinist and violist and also a master Suzuki method teacher. He actually studied with Dr. Suzuki himself in Japan for 3 years. We don't tend to think about it much, but he also holds a doctor of music degree now.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Warmups Spot Practice Review New Pieces Just for Fun

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was playing professionally by high school. I often practiced with the windows open and the neighbors knew I played very well. One summer a neighbor asked me to teach her daughter, the next summer several asked and some stayed for the school year. From there it just grew. It helped put me thru college with a flexible schedule and by the time I graduated, I had a full studio, a job I loved and no commute. What more can a person ask? This was of course with a business management major, a minor in computer programming (completely outdated now), almost a minor in music and 7 AA/AS degrees.

Read More