Piano Lessons in Valley City, OH

Instruments: Piano Drums

I feel that I can develop a great rapport with students, and am able to relate to their musical interests no matter what their preferred style(s). Due to the extensive and varied experience I have gained, I am able to develop exercises and choose materials that are relevant to each individual student's needs and goals. My greatest reward is seeing my students gain confidence and the passion for making music that I have known throughout my life. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I am a very kinesthetic teacher. We move around the room a lot during lessons because piano, flute, and voice should be an extension of music that is first heard in the mind (inner hearing/audiation), so note playing/singing is not merely a muscle memory. We sing, tap, or clap 90% of music we learn before we attempt to play it on an instrument or sing it resonantly. Thinking through a vocal line and anticipating the high notes and the openness needed in the body/throat and the breath support needed will help the student discover an unknown freedom and give them tools to help transfer this into other songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I have a great passion for music, which I enjoy sharing with others through teaching, performing, composing, and recording. I have played in many different types of ensembles including marching, concert, pep bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, percussion ensembles, drum corps, rock, heavy metal, and country bands, as well as steel drum bands. I graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor or Arts in Music. In 2007, I received my Masters in Music Composition from Cleveland State University. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Choral Experience: As a member of the Westminster Choir (Joseph Flummerfelt, conductor), I performed with major East coast orchestras. Representative works include: Mozart, Coronation Mass, Requiem; Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, Missa Solemnis; Berlioz, Romo et Juliette, Te Deum, La Damnation de Faust; Mahler, Eighth Symphony; Wagner, Das Liebesmahl der Apostel; Stravinsky, Symphony of Psalms; Kodly, Psalmus Hungaricus; Bernstein, Chichester Psalms Ballet Accompanist: Princeton Ballet Workshop, The Agnes DeMille Studios (New York), School of the Pennsylvania Ballet (Philadelphia), The Scottish-American Ballet at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland Organist/Choirmaster:Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal), Thousand Oaks, California; Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

During my time at Oberlin I took a certification class specifically about string pedagogy. I am very well versed in various methods of technique training for all instruments in the violin family. With beginners I teach in a modified Suzuki method that includes music reading after a few months. In general I focus on technique and then add in the more fun musical gestures. I also teach ear-training long side the violin/viola study. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon

I began teaching privately as a high school student, working with begnning students at the middle school. I have taught privately in my home and in students' homes since graduating from college. Regular practice is very important and something I emphasize with my students. I like to include a mixture of classical and modern music in my lessons, so that students enjoy what they are learning and playing. If a student does not enjoy their time playing their instrument, they will not want to put the practice in and lessons will become a point of argument.  Read More

Instruments: Piano

I tailor my method selection to suit the needs of the student. With so many wonderful methods out there, what it comes down to is what will help the student learn the most! I highly emphasize Music Theory and Aural Skills; I believe that students should understand what they are playing. This understanding leads to more accurate performances and more solid memorization skills. I try to keep the student's musical education moving forward steadily at whatever pace the student learns best. Read More