Guitar Lessons in Crescent, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My number one rule for teaching is patience and setting small goals each week. Every student should want to pick up the instrument days after the lesson. Seeing someone learn a song and playing it through correctly is a mini miracle. Progress through repetition and different exercises has been a high yield of success in my personal experiences. Praise for when a student fulfills a goal goes a far way in future lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Teaching style: having the student focus on simplicity...focus on practice, practice, practice....focus on enjoying the lesson, not dreading it. I will assess the students' needs simply by having a conversation first. Then ask some basic questions about what music style is appealing to them. Most important is that whatever the student's level is, just feel comfortable, relaxed and look forward to this wonderful journey that is called "Playing the Guitar"!    Keep in mind, my schedule is flexible. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For classical guitar students, I've found the best methods to building a good foundation as well as technique is both the Christopher Parkening and Frederick Noad methods. The student also gets a great selection of repertoire to go along with the basics of technique in each. For all other styles of playing, I've found that the Berklee Guitar Methods work well in building the fundamentals in a students playing in the beginning stages. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I meet with students for an introductory lesson. We discuss their goals. I suggest method books, online learning tools, and other strategies that they can use while they study and practice. During lessons, we review songs, techniques, theory, and other concepts that they are studying and need to improve on. In my experience, by providing a custom lesson plan, students can improve in the areas that they want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Flute Piccolo Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching methods are much different than what I grew up with. I remember at times being so worried to go to my lessons. I want my time with the students to be positive, open and understanding. In terms of books and repertoire, I do love using Hal Leonard for beginners. Once fundamentals are in place we can explore repertoire together so that the student is truly learning music they love and enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Once upon a time, one of my co-workers asked me to show her how to play some songs on the guitar. I can't remember exactly what those songs were, but I think it was Led Zeppelin, or something like that. Having never taught a lesson in my life up until that point, I reluctantly agreed, and later that week, she arrived at my front door with guitar in hand. As the lesson went on, I had a couple of "Aha" moments! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I have been teaching private lessons for the last 6 years and began teaching in the public school system in spring of 2022. This fall, I will be a long-term substitute orchestra teacher for North Allegheny School District. My education at Duquesne was entirely focused on music education. I took various courses in instrument methodology for brass, woodwind, and string instruments, and studied leading pedagogy practices from distinguished educators. I studied cello with PSO musician Adam Liu, and performed challenging works for solo cello in my studio as well as orchestral works with the full Duquesne Symphony Orchestra. Read More