Music Lessons in Connoquenessing, PA

Instruments: Guitar

I am an eager and motivated guitar instructor who loves teaching and sharing my knowledge and passion of music. This past spring, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Throughout school, I performed with Pitt's Carpathian Ensemble that explored eastern European styles and tonalities. In addition, I performed with Carnegie Mellon University's Guitar Chamber Ensemble that consisted of all classical guitars that performs arrangements of classical and contemporary pieces. 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

My approach and methods of teaching are simply this: Enjoy the learning experience without getting bogged down with staring at sheet music for hours on end. Ear training and motor memory will provide a much more enjoyable learning experience and will render results at a much faster pace than "books". However, "books" are important to some degree I admit. But, practice and dedication will render the most important result....and that is ....PLAYING AND ENJOYING THE GUITAR!!!!!!!....and the music and joy it brings along. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

As a classically trained musician, my approach blends elements of text instruction with experiential learning, allowing for a deeper level of understanding and processing of the materials and skills necessary to become a skilled musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

For beginning piano students, Arias typically starts with John Thompson's piano methods books one through four with a focus on musical expression, literacy, and building a foundation of good technique. For beginning trumpet students, Arias typically uses Hal Leonards, Essential Elements Method. Depending on the student's progression and pedagogical needs, Arias next typically moves to an individually prescribed combination of Schlossberg, Clark, and Arban excersises combined with solo literature and/or etudes. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I believe that once a student enjoys what they are doing - that's where the true learning starts. I want to encourage the student to push their limits with their instrument. However, I will make sure that the student plays within their skill level to avoid bad performing experiences. If they want to play a piece that is out of reach for them, I may pick a piece that is very similar to that one with a goal in mind to one day work up to that piece. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

For beginning students I typically start with the core concepts of clarinet playing, such as sound production, proper breathing, hand/finger position, and tonguing, as well as proper instrument assembly and care. We will begin with method books such as the Rubank Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced studies. After the student becomes comfortable with these core concepts of playing the clarinet, we will move on to more complex music including etudes and solo repertoire. Read More