Music Lessons in Donegal, PA

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As a performer, I've been "1st call" guitarist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Musical Theatre for many years. I've also toured the eastern half if the USA and Canada with country-rock and "top 40" circuit bands, and recently appeared locally with a Journey / Foreigner / Styx tribute band, "Any Way You Want It" and a popular Casino / club date band, "Metro." I'm currently very active as a solo guitarist for weddings, corporate events, and resorts. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

My methodology follows a template: I will first establish a firm grasp on the fundamentals before moving my emphasis towards precise intonation and rhythm. I will then focus on giving students the creative drive and the tools to be masterful artists of their instruments so they are better able to bring a story to the notes on the paper. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

Teachers have a responsibility to serve their students in the best way possible. I want to teach my students under the heading of creativity, kindness, and knowledge. I like to involve students in setting their own individual goals. I acknowledge the individual goals and interests of students through choosing repertoire that is meaningful and engaging to them. During lessons, I play or sing examples and duets with students frequently in order to act as a model for certain concepts. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For young beginners, I like to use the Faber and Faber series. They do a wonderful job incorporating reading, listening, and writing into the curriculum. I also think creativity is a huge part of music. I love asking students to write their own songs. When I play their compositions on the piano, their reactions are priceless! For older beginners, advanced students, and voice students I use a similar approach but with supplemental materials. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

As I have taught many students on many different instruments, my focus has been on providing students with a firm foundation, including proper posture, breathing, embouchure, technique, and pitch/rhythm literacy. I have found great success in using the Essential Elements method books, and eventually move on to intermediate and advanced methods, focusing on etudes, scale studies, and solo repertoire. Beyond a traditionally classical approach, I believe strongly in listening to my students to realize what they desire to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

In all of my teaching, I combine my students' interests with the leading pedagogy practices in string education to develop the foundational skills of the instrument as well as a fondness for it. There are several method books that I use such as Suzuki, Schroeder's Cello Etudes, and Fiddler's Philharmonic, however, I tailor each lesson path to each student based on student interest as well as proper sequencing. I generally start with these method books, especially for cello, for beginning students. Read More