Music Lessons in Falls, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

For my beginning piano students, I emphasize the twelve major and minor scales with proper fingering, first one octave and then two octaves. These exercises strengthens fingers and create more familiarity with the keyboard. I use the book, Level 1 The Older Beginner Piano Course by James Bastien and the companion book, Musicianship for the Older Beginner. I have seen results when these books are used in tandem. The student increases in technique and start to master music theory simultaneously. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My passion for teaching has been a big part of my career. I have been teaching violin since 2011- providing individual and group instrumental lessons in music schools and serving as an adjunct faculty (Artist-in-Residence position) of performance studies (solo and chamber) at Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University. These have provided me considerable experience teaching one on one and classroom settings discovering and enhancing their innate knowledge through an individual approach to each student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Above all else, I believe that the learning process should be rewarding and fun! Setting incremental goals that can realistically be accomplished is important because developing skills of this type takes time and patience. I like students to work on both things that are their bread and butter while simultaneously working on more challenging material that will get students out of their comfort zone. I value having a positive personal and professional relationship with students, as lessons should feel like a safe space that students should WANT to come to! Read More

Instruments: Cello

I received my Master’s degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, studying with former LA Philharmonic Principal cellist Peter Stumpf, and my bachelor’s degree at Temple University, studying with cellist Jeffrey Solow. As a chamber musician, I have studied with Menahem Pressler, Mark Kaplan, Jorja Fleezanis, and Kurt Muroki. Other studies include masterclasses with Fred Sherry, Colin Carr, Tokyo String Quartet, St. Lawerence String Quartet,and Ben Zander. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For younger beginners, I like to start with a method book such as Essential Elements to build the foundations of music and the instruments. After students have worked through this, we begin working on solo repertoire to get students excited to perform songs at their first recital! This is also a great time to begin learning about improvisation and creative playing, something that we all already have within us. Students learn the basics of improv through fun games, songs, and duets to build their confidence and hone their voice. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have an open approach to teaching guitar, and encourage students to utilize knowledge obtained through my lessons in whatever context they prefer as opposed to gearing them towards a certain style of playing. Much of my own teaching was based in jazz, but I have managed to find myself utilizing much of what I was taught playing in a heavy, shoegazey rock band. The preferences of my students are important to me, and while setting goals for progress is important, it is important to me that students learn at their own pace and move forward on their own initiative. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I'm a big believer in setting small but achievable goals. I also believe that achieving technical mastery of an instrument is a simple process of building habits. Some students may want to be pushed hard and challenged at every turn. Other students may not respond so well to such an approach so a different pace and style is required. It all depends on the student but in general I think a friendly smile and warm demeanor create a comfortable environment for the student to ask questions and perform their best each time I see them. Read More