Piano Lessons in Sterling Heights, MI

Aleah F

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Music Keyboard

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
There was a defining moment for me- I was originally going to study to be an accountant. But after my college initiation for accounting school, I decided I couldn't take it- I'd rather take the risk to try and make a living being an artist than do something I didn't like

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Yes it does! My grandmother sang opera, and my dad plays the guitar and sings a lot of classic rock. I also have an uncle who sings and plays percussion with his band, who had quite a lot of success touring locally in the midwest

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I wasn't a musician I would probably aim to be an artist or a writer. The arts have always been such a big part of my life

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Honestly, I couldn't choose a single favorite. Some of my favorites include classical, rock, punk, reggae, and electronic

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started playing the flute in 6th grade, and it was my first instrument. Then in late highschool I began on the piccolo, when my director asked me to perform a solo. Right before college I began studying piano privately to help me understand more music theory. Eventually, in my later college studies, I began studying vocals, and all string and wind instruments,

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
My dream piece to perform is the Carmen Fantasie for the flute. This is because of how beautifully it quotes melodies from the opera Carmen, as well as its technical challenges.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I chose a degree in music education because of how versatile the career path is. My collegiate studies allowed me to study every instrument in the band and orchestra, which is something a performance track doesn't typically do

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
A normal practice session for me starts with note bending and tone warm ups (Wind instruments only). It then transitions into technical scales studies, then to melodic studies. From there I focus on working on orchestral excerpts, etudes, and any pieces such as sonatas

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The hardest thing to master on the flute is getting that initial sound- it requires a very specific embouchure. The hardest thing about piano is how many things are going on at once- The pedaling, reading in two clefs, and using both hands

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I like to use a combination of Alfred music books for my younger students, as well as many French technical exercise books such as those by Moyse. I think it's important to get scales familiarized early, so that is why I chose this book.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose the flute as my primary instrument because I am in love with melodies, and the purity of the sound of the instrument. In addition, the flute is just so versatile, and can be used in almost any genre.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my music education degree, my teaching license, my orchestral solo work I did with the University of Toledo's Orchestra, and how far my classical performance skills have progressed since college.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Many of my flute students have achieved the honor of holding the seat of first flute in their band. But I am most proud of how my students progress, rather than the number of seat they earn

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
To practice effectively, frequency is more important than large blocks of time. So if you can practice for 5 minutes a day, that is much better than one large chunk of time once a week,

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
You know your child is ready to start lessons when they have been taking on responsibilities, like doing their homework without being prompted, or taking care of their pets

When will I start to see results?
While each students pace and level varies, with regular practice, you should start seeing results in about two weeks. Even if a student isn't sounding so great, make sure to always encourage them

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes! The my high school band director really inspired me to get into music. Mr. Koch pushed us to be great, and had us playing college literature in 9th grade. Setting the bar high for students is really important, because we can all be great musicians.

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