Guitar Lessons in Saint Peters, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele

It's important to me first that my students enjoy their lessons. This means learning at their own pace, offering poisitive feedback, and using music they prefer. With this combination, they usually find music lessons fun and educational! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Lute Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What I have found works best with semi-slow but significant results is the idea of 'planting seeds'. I describe this concept quite regularly with my students, and what I mean by it is that we will often talk about important musical ideas and simply make the student aware of what's happening. They may not totally understand it right away, but the seed is planted. We start off planting many seeds and sometimes the same seed multiple times. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I first began teaching in high school at the suggestion of my own piano teacher. I loved the experience from the start - few things are more rewarding than watching a student develop their musical passion and skill from lesson to lesson. Aside from private lessons, I also interned with the Peabody Children's Chorus in MD. Under the instruction of the brilliant choirmaster Doreen Falby, I had the privilege of working with a group of motivated students aged 8-12 where we studied everything from conducting to vocal technique and put on concerts twice a year. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been performing and teaching music privately in the Philadelphia area since I graduated with a Music education degree in 1991. I have performed on my instruments in a variety of venues (such as television, cruise ships, clubs, musical theater, and outdoor concerts) and styles. Over my career, I have successfully taught students at the elementary, middle and high school level, as well as adults. I've created the curriculum for guitar programs in various school districts and have given seminars to teachers in how to build their own programs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

For students who are just starting to learn a new instrument, I would start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements method book. As the student progresses and has a good understanding of the fundamentals, I begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate for their skill level. I try to find out what all of my students are interested in, and I adjust my instruction accordingly to make sure that the lessons are always engaging, and fun. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Harmonica Ukulele Euphonium Tuba Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, especially for brass instruments. I also tend to mix in some fun songs that are more well known using my own arrangements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Sessions include breathing/relaxation/meditation, John Cage jamming (where we listen to each other very attentively and make sounds on random objects for long periods of time), groove practice, spoken-word poetry, songwriting, and more conventional rock band stuff. I encourage students (and myself) to live their everyday lives musically, listening aesthetically to the world around them and paying attention to their own inner soundtracks (imagination). After-School Jam Session serves as a laboratory for me to develop teaching practices that emphasize creativity, empathy, cooperation, and awareness of beauty. Read More