Music Lessons in Mc Donald, PA

Instruments: Clarinet

I am generally laid back and understanding of a student's wishes and goals when learning a new instrument. Most folks are not trying to become world-class players on the bagpipe and I recognize that. The more laid back my student is, the more laid back I am. If a student is very serious, then I will match that and be very serious as an instructor. I think it's important to understand why a person is learning, and what they wish to get out of it. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

In my fifteen years on the saxophone, I've played in all sorts of musical environments and styles, equally comfortable sitting in a swing band as standing in front of an orchestra. No matter what skill level you are or what genre you're hoping to learn, I will be able to help you find ways to improve your sound and style. As my student, you will develop not just your finger work, tonguing, and breathing, but also fundamental listening and analyzing skills that will help you become a more well-rounded, thoughtful, and expressive musician. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I typically recommend that all beginner students start with Hal Leonard's guitar method books to learn the essential notes, chords, scales, styles, and music theory. After a student becomes comfortable with the basics, I begin diving into what styles or genres the student enjoys or favors. Tailoring lessons for each individual student is very important to my teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My style is a blend of fun and high standards. I am very gifted at motivating people to go beyond what they can achieve on their own in a fun way. Each lesson contains performing of old pieces, learning of new pieces, theory, and technique  I believe that the student should be challenged to achieve their fullest potential while being encouraged.  Lessons should be fun and upbeat with lots of energy.  Students can achieve a great deal if they are challenged as well as loved, and if they are having fun! Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

I can teach beginners out of any books they might already own, but if starting lessons with me, the books I have available to send to my beginners are Essential Elements and Standard of Excellence. I have additional materials, like the LaFosse, for beginners who have a higher starting range than the majority. I write out personalized daily routines for all my beginners. For high school students, I help the student develop a daily routine which incorporates exercises from the Schlossberg warmups, Colin's Advanced Lip Flexibilities, Vernon's The Singing Approach, the Arban method, and sometimes others. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I am a devoted music teacher and passionate performer, who likes to inspire my students to love making music. I perform with orchestras and chamber groups all over the Pennsylvania/Ohio area including the West Virginia Symphony orchestra. Additionally, I have an active chamber group, Kassia Ensemble, a mixed instrumentation group dedicated to furthering women's leadership in the arts. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006 having studied with Thomas Thompson of the Pittsburgh Symphony.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Music

Over the past 13 years, I have taught piano, music theory, and music composition to a diverse group of learners, including school-age children, college students, and adults of distinct backgrounds. From 2014-2018 I received the Graduate Teaching Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, where I led piano courses for non-Music majors, and held weekly recitations and office hours for required courses for Music majors. This encompassed instruction in counterpoint, musical form, harmonic analysis, training students on dictation and sight-singing, as well as providing help with digital audio software. Read More