Piano Lessons in Springfield, VA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For young beginners, I generally will start with a beginning method book (such as Hal Leonard's Essential Elements) but the book will depend on the instrument as well. For older students, I want to know what kind of music they enjoy playing or listen to, and guide them along to reach their goals--whether that be to play in a band, write and record an album, or just become a better player! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I allow each student to progress at his or her own pace. I set realistic goals at each lesson in terms of technique. piano repertoire and theory. I make journal entries at every lesson to record what was covered. I encourage students to participate in recitals and can make arrangements for them to perform, as I beieve that public performance is an important milestone in their musical education. For those who are interested in exams and competitions, I help them to choose repertoire that will highlight their strengths. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

My approach actively tries to preserve and cultivate the original passions of music that lead students to seek lessons in the first place. The material we focus on (which also serves as the vehicle for learning about music-in-general) will be determined foremost by the students' interests. Students who are especially conducive or committed to book-learning and linear structure will be accommodated as well, and we will be largely centering Mark Levine's model. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never want to pressure or overwhelm a student with too much information or expectation, because instead of the instruction being seen as a challenge, it is interpreted as an unenjoyable command, and that discourages the student from practicing to meet their goals, instead of motivating and inspiring them. What I find works best is relating lessons to popular current music, further exploring the bridge of dynamics that make up the songs that the student enjoys. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching methods vary depending on the student's needs and musical knowledge. Normally starting with general repertoire before expanding into different genres in order to obtain a feel for each person's skill or level of understanding. If they are younger, I tend to lean towards the more conventional approach with the Bastien Piano Basics or Piano Adventures for them to grow in the fundamentals. I have found that the more interest they display for piano, the more excited they become about exploring different styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more enjoyable than seeing a music student climb the learning curve and self recognize and appreciate their progress other than, perhaps watching their passion grow over the long term as they successfully step into the performance phase and play a well practiced piece for their friends, family, peers, or others. Each student's lesson selection plan is always a collaborative agreement between the instructor and learner as well as the practice plan in terms of both frequency and repetition pattern. Read More