Piano Lessons in Westwood, MA

Instruments: Piano Accordion

I graduated from Boston University with a degree in Music, and am certified to teach music in Massachusetts public schools (K-12).  I have been giving private piano lessons to both children and adults for over 10 years.   I have extensive and varied experience teaching music to young people.   I completed training in Music Together, a music and movement program for young children, and have created Music & Movement sessions for children with special needs.    In addtion I have experience as a musical director at a summer camp.directed the musical program at the New Hampshire summer camp Tel Noar.      As a professional musician I have performed  a variety of music including standards, jazz, country, blues, and klezmer,  on both piano and accordion in a wide variety of venues including:      - cruise ships     -  weddings and other functions      - cocktail  lounges      - folk festivals      -  shows         Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Music

I am a strong believer in listening before you play. When it comes to younger students this can be challenging, yet also rewarding. Younger students require a lot of demonstration as far as how to hold and position your fingers. It is a lot of muscle memory, and most new students need proper technique to get them to enjoy their instrument. I find this takes patients. For more advanced students I would get into music theory, improvising/experimentation, ear training, and composition. Read More

Instruments: Piano

A full hour lesson usually consists of an instructional course book, a song or two that the student enjoys plus ear training, theory, harmony or else according to the students' needs, interest and the level. Tailoring the lesson for each student and having fun with him/her is the key! Younger students would need more structure with practice guide and be having more synesthetic activities such as sining, tapping, mild dancing and more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

Students learn best in a relaxed, nurturing environment.  I believe in order to successfully teach, I need to be encouraging, and truly care about the students.  My goal is to always have the students improve.  To do this, I think students need a well-balanced diet of tone (Moyse De la Senorite can be used), technique (scales for younger students, Maquarre Daily Excercises or Taffanel and Gaubert Daily Excercises for more advanced students), etudes (Melodious and Progressive Studies), and pieces (I consult the NYSSMA manual for appropriate pieces for the students level).  Having taken Alexander Technique, I strongly emphasize posture so that students can use their bodies in the most efficient way.  Individualized instruction allows for teachers to cater to the needs of the student, challenging the students without frustrating them.  Everyone is unique and learns at different rates, so no two lessons will ever be the same.  I teach students how to practice, so that they can progress outside of the 30 min. or hour long lesson.  As for performance standards, I have used rubrics for tone, technique, articulation, phrasing, and breathing.  Once strengths and weaknesses are assed, I create a plan to help the student improve, which is what students and teachers want to hear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Ukulele Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For beginner piano students, I have found the Faber Piano Adventures books to be quite successful. For other lessons, I try to tailor them to each student and find materials that fit with their unique music goals. I have drawn from a variety of music resources, as well as my own knowledge, to help students learn through their own unique way of thinking. I believe it is important to build off of the skills that students already have, and to find ways to support them as they grow in other areas. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

Graduated with bachelor’s degree of Music from Musashino Academia Musicae and received his Artist Diploma from Toho Gakuen School of Music both in his native country, Japan. He taught the flute at the Yamaha Music Foundation for eight years before he came to study in Boston. Yuji graduated from the Boston Conservatory, studied with former principal flute of the Boston Pops Orchestra, Marianne Gedigian in 2001, and then continued to study with Kathryn Lukas in Indiana University. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums

This is why I try to not ignore the deeper, more holistic aspects of the art, which is why I emphasize composition in my lessons. I will compose for my students pieces that highlight something they are working on, but I will also assign compositions for my students because kids love it and creativity yields a deeper connection to any given subject than, say, rote memorization. I love kids and do not stifle their creativity, without steering too far away from the task at hand, I like to listen to what they have to say because you never know what valuable information you may learn about their present perspective. Read More