Piano Lessons in Turtle Creek, PA

Instruments: Piano Music

My main objective is to find the optimal way to help each student master the material or skills taught. I deeply value understanding student's needs in order to guide them through their challenges accordingly. In addition, I believe that learning music should be engaging and meaningful. For example, students are encouraged to set their own poetry, short stories, or paintings to music. This provides them the opportunity to apply what they have learned and internalize new skills through practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My number one rule for teaching is patience and setting small goals each week. Every student should want to pick up the instrument days after the lesson. Seeing someone learn a song and playing it through correctly is a mini miracle. Progress through repetition and different exercises has been a high yield of success in my personal experiences. Praise for when a student fulfills a goal goes a far way in future lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

It is very easy today to record lessons and send students home with different songs to play along to. Drums are much more fun when you play with other musicians and one way to do that is with recordings. Again there is room for me to bring music to the student, but also room for the student to bring something to me that they want to learn. Also a great opportunity to show the similarities between and differences between these two events. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For the beginning students I will introduce the basic music theory studying combines with technical studying, which are improving the students to get the grasp of foundmentals, and depends on the different situations of the students to choose the most suitable repertoire appropriate for their performance and recitals. For adults, it’s especially to be careful with choosing the right repertoire to show the best part of their own, and help them improve the technical part in order to be a good performer! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with either the John Schaum method book series or the James Bastien method book series. Both book series are fun, colorful, and engaging for the student. Once the student has progressed to have a better grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

As a music teacher, I've been able to work with many different ages and levels in a variety of settings. Some schools I've worked with in the Pittsburgh area include the Carnegie Mellon Preparatory School, Saint Vincent College, Pittsburgh C.A.P.A. 6-12, The Yeshiva School, and the Center for Theater Arts. I have also been consistently teaching private piano in people's homes since I graduated from college. My work at Carnegie Mellon Prepatory school includes teaching the group classes for the beginning piano program, as well as preparing private students for recitals and competitions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I've taught public school elementary band for 30 years, have been a church organist for 70 years, and taught piano and organ for 57 years. I accompanied church and school choirs and orchestra through high school and on into college and then directed such groups; so I know what skills are needed to perform and what it feels like to be put in such a position. Since I've been teaching so long, I can anticipate where in the assignment, the student is likely to be challenged. Read More