Piano Lessons in Tampa, FL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Organ Harmonica Ukulele Mandolin

My experience date back to my early college days, where I began as a volunteer piano teacher for veterans in a retirement community. I taught for a few months, when I was approached by two different women, one who wanted me to perform cover songs at the retirement facility that she managed, and another who wanted me to give her husband private music lessons. I performed for a few years during college, but stopped teaching after my only student moved away. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Since I am also a composer and arranger, I tend to be partial towards the use of my own "homemade" methods.... taking on the idea of composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann (example would be Album of the Young) and writing simple pieces that reinforce specific technical challenges like double thirds, left hand arpeggios, consecutive octaves, pedalling and so on. Sometimes if I have a student that likes Pink Floyd or Eric Clapton, for instance, I will do my best to come up with a simplified version of a particular song using good ole staff paper. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

My teaching experience started with Olivet Boys and Girls club in college. There, I started teaching a choral group, glee club, private piano lessons, and group piano lessons. I did this for roughly ~5 years. I also taught lessons prior to this to beginner students throughout high school. I took private lessons from the age of 7 years old for about 13 years, and continue to practice and play daily (it's important to keep challenging yourself). Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer Accordion Keyboard

 I have also taught many students around the world. Not every audience likes the same type of music so the performer has to be versatile.   Similarly, not every student likes the same kind of music so the teacher should be able to adapt.   The same thing applies to teaching methods.   The same method doesn't work with every student. Instead of using existing method books which may or may not contain music that the student can relate to, I like to use the favorite songs of the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

All of my beginning piano students will be learning the five finger scales and hand placement. I will always integrate advanced theory techniques when teaching my students because I believe that this will be beneficial in the long run as they progress to intermediate and advanced levels. For advanced students, they will be expected to learn the notes on their own as per the standard of that level so that the lessons can be focused on artistry, performance etiquette, and interpretations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Double Bass

When students are being lazy I call them out on it by saying something like, "What is that?"  It shakes them up and makes them realize I catch every mistake.  It's done in a lighthearted way so that the students feel comfortable with me as I do not want to drive away students who fear their teacher.  Comfort and discipline are imperative to help them achieve their goals.  If a student feels comfortable with their instrument they are more willing to practice and achieve a higher goal of performance. Read More