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23 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Scottsdale . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar
Nothing is more exciting than seeing one my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. " The slower you go, the faster you'll get there" - John Link Read More
Instruments: Piano
Everything about my teaching stems from a love of music and imparting that love into the students I am working with. Piano lessons should be about the student (at any level) forming a healthy relationship with the piano. As such, my mission is to create musicians that perform with Honesty and Clarity. Clarity forms all the "technical" aspects of making music at piano, while Honesty is about getting in touch with how we are personally developing as musicians and how we can be mentally present with the music we are creating--and not trying to be anyone else besides are true selves. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin
I began teaching lessons while workibg on my Master's degree. While tutoring a classmate on guitar, I realized that I really enjoyed teaching and decided to pursue more students. My music therapy training gives me a unique approach to education enabling me to tailor all of my students lessons to their personal goals and needs. I enjoy teaching a variety of styles, from classical to contemporary, as well as giving my students performance opportunities to really be able to challenge themselves. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
My approach to teaching is fun and nurturing,making sure students have a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of music,while encouraging individual student's own creativity and aural skills.I always inspire students to enjoy music and their musical instrument whilst developing their discipline to build self-esteem and help them grow socially and academically. During my lessons students work on their sight reading,technique,ear training and,of course I come up with fun musical games for younger beginners. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Flute
My teaching methods depend a lot on the student's ability. I believe that the only person who would stop you from pursuing your dreams is yourself. If there is a passion in you that constantly lives, you can achieve a lot.I have experience teaching adults and children, including children with special needs .I have experience in Music Therapy, performances, teaching beginners and intermediate level: talented and less talented students. Read More
Instruments: Piano Recorder Music
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
My students always place well in state exams and competitions.
A number of my students have received full or partial scholarships to prestigious college prep schools and universities.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use a combination of methods as early on, I observed that students raised in one particular method tended to get stuck within the method and to not be as flexible as they could be. Probably the most classic way to get stuck is "I can only play with my right hand, all the left hand can do is chords". Really sad, as one goes to a teacher to eventually become independent and able to figure out things on your own.
WHAT I USE:
At the beginning we use: John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course book 1 & 2 and his Theory Drill Games, books 1-3. We also use, Alfred D'Auberge's Piano Course book 1. For the very young students, I use Music for Little Mozarts, levels 1-4 and we do the lesson book, workbook, discovery book, flash cards, the small stuffed Mozart Mouse & Beethoven Bear, and both CD's. In addition, beginning piano students also use either the Bastien Piano Course Primer or the Bastien Piano Course for the Young Beginner, books A&B. Most of the Music for Little Mozarts students continue to use the Bastien series. As they get a bit more advanced, we add the Schaum Piano Course Technique Book I to drill on accuracy, speed and the use of the metronome. I teach most scales, 5 finger patterns, warm ups, chord patterns, etc by rote. I've also been experimenting with the new method by Faber and Faber.
Once the above is finished or close to finished we switch to Leila Fletcher's "We Like to Play Piano Solos", a great book for recitals. By the time they are done, the students are comfortable with simple moves and directions and playing multiple notes at the same time. We add Hanon 1 and later add number 2, A Dozen a Day Prep, Schultz's Technique Tricks, Keith Snell's Fundamentals of Piano Theory, book preparatory and later book 1, and Alfred's Piano Course Ear Training, book 1. Other books that may be used, might include: Patriotic Primer by Schaum, Christmas and other holiday music, or special books on folk tunes, hymns and pop. It depends on the student.
After the Fletcher book is done we switch into "A Day in the Jungle" by Jon George. I use this book to first really begin work on expression in music. We add a book or books of classical music that represent the 4 basic periods of music and continue on in Hanon, A Dozen a Day, the Snell Theory books and various miscellaneous books as noted before. During summer vacations I usually introduce basic Jazz and Blues, composition, and music hi
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Very much so. My Dad's family only appreciated it a lot, but in my Mom's family, everyone sings, everyone plays at least 1 instrument and at least a little piano, and if it is only a little piano, it's because they specialized in another instrument. Only an uncle an I make a living at it, but music is very much a part of everyday life. My uncle is a master violinist and violist and also a master Suzuki method teacher. He actually studied with Dr. Suzuki himself in Japan for 3 years. We don't tend to think about it much, but he also holds a doctor of music degree now.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Warmups
Spot Practice
Review
New Pieces
Just for Fun
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was playing professionally by high school. I often practiced with the windows open and the neighbors knew I played very well. One summer a neighbor asked me to teach her daughter, the next summer several asked and some stayed for the school year. From there it just grew. It helped put me thru college with a flexible schedule and by the time I graduated, I had a full studio, a job I loved and no commute. What more can a person ask? This was of course with a business management major, a minor in computer programming (completely outdated now), almost a minor in music and 7 AA/AS degrees.
23 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Scottsdale to students of all ages and abilities.
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