Music Lessons in Falls Village, CT

Instruments: Voice

I love to have students have a conversation with me about their love for music. This is a great way to encourage them to continue with practicing outside of the lessons. If a student feels they are not happy with their voice on a certain exercise, I will modify the way I word something or have them try the exercise in a different way. This way, they feel the difference and can feel happier about the sound they are producing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I use a gentle teaching style and make connections to my students needs and have vast music experience that will surely energize and nurture any guitar player. I use a color coded method to teach scales, chords and theory that I created that help students not only understand scales but also they are able to see visually where chords come from. I break down each song into easy digestible parts so students can learn a song in a logical and most manageable way. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students, particularly children, I use the Piano Adventures books. I recommend the student getting their Lesson, Theory, and Technique Artistry books to start. From there I will add in popular and classical pieces based on the students interest and ability. I do almost the same for teens and adults, just using the Piano Adventures adult books. I have used this method for almost my whole career and been nothing but pleased with the content. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have a different method for every level student. I start beginners with Hal Leonard's or Mel Bay's Guitar Method books. These books are clear to any age and can be picked up by any student. After these books have been completed, I introduce popular single melody, guitar technique and full tab/sheet solo repertoire books. The solo repertoire books usually contain tablature/sheet music along with chords and sometimes riffs/scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

To me the most important thing to establish is a true, personal connection with my students. I like to know what activities other than music they enjoy, what their favorite/least favorite subject is in school, what they want to be when they grow up, what motivates them and what doesn't. This knowledge helps me to develop ways to explain sometimes difficult concepts in a way that is easily accessible and the student is then able to apply this knowledge immediately. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I have been teaching over 30 years privately and also at different institutions. Currently I am a piano faculty at the Hartt school of music in the University of Hartford. I have been teaching from young students to seasoned adults and chamber music coaching. I am a classically trained pianists but also I took a jazz improv seminar and have taken private jazz piano lessons for years. I do not force anyone to play or think only one way to play piano since everyone comes in different sizes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What Books and Methods I use depend on whether the student has a particular style in mind from the beginning of their studies. I will often use the Frederick Noad series of Books with students who know they want to study Classical Guitar and then progress to repertoire when the time seems right. If they aren't sure of what direction they want to go in I will use the Hal Leonard or Mel Bay Books to get them started, and when I start to see what direction they want to go in I will begin introducing different songs and repertoire to see what direction they seem to be headed towards. Read More