Lindsay M
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Opera

This will be my fifth year as a private lesson instructor! I taught my first lesson during college, when I worked for a local studio with three other teachers. I have been a church accompanist since I was 13 years old, and since then have accompanied for many soloists, school choirs, and musical theater groups. I even played keys in a few jazz bands! I've also sung a variety of repertoire including Jazz, Classical, Opera, and have been singing in choirs since middle school. Each of these experiences has strengthened my ability to relate to students and help them discover their niche in music. I like to introduce students to musical styles because it provides a well-rounded education and a chance for greater motivation to practice. When we find the right style, practicing actually becomes a little fun!

For young beginners, I like to use the Faber and Faber series. They do a wonderful job incorporating reading, listening, and writing into the curriculum. I also think creativity is a huge part of music. I love asking students to write their own songs. When I play their compositions on the piano, their reactions are priceless! For older beginners, advanced students, and voice students I use a similar approach but with supplemental materials. These students typically know what style they really enjoy playing or singing. From the repertoire we pick, I find technical skills within each piece to focus on during the lesson and use staff paper, play-by-ear, and a variety of other repertoire to work on writing and listening.