Music Lessons in Salford, PA

Instruments: Drums

I try to cater my methods to the individual students goals and personality, however ultimately utilizing the same materials. Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone is a great tool for drummers. It offers simple, effective patterns for developing technique, skill, and vocabulary. It can be used intensively or casually as we borrow concepts and patterns to work with. Rudiments are the foundation of quality drumming and they can be developed using this book as well. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

For the last 2 years I have been teaching private lessons at an elementary school and have been teaching group lessons when asked. During the fall I also have been a low brass technician for a local marching band. Finally I have played in many pit performances for local high schools. These opportunities have taught me a lot about being a teacher and a musician. I feel like it is important that teachers themselves never stop being the student and all these experiences, while humbling, have made me a better teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I think that students learn best when they are relaxed and having fun.  So, anything I can do to keep it light - whether it's drawing a picture to make a point or making up silly words to learn a complex rhythm or using crayons to mark the sections in our music - is a win in my book!  Laughing and making mistakes are a big part of learning.  When my students make errors, I don't scold, I say "good for you, now we can learn something!" I believe that it is both possible and critical to develop the student-teacher relationship as a collaboration. Read More

Instruments: Drums

One of the cool things about teaching is that every student is different and learns differently! I am usually able to assess each students level and pace within the first couple lessons. At the end of each lesson I will give them a realistic goal to achieve for the next lesson. Any improvement is improvement and I try and always recognize that. I try to inspire by example as well, showing the student where their practicing and hard work can take them if they keep working at it diligently. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I continue to push the student to get better no matter their pace, and in a constant reminder, that slow and steady will win the race as opposed to sloppily breezing through a subject. We want to avoid a student taking three steps back due to lack of rudimental and physicality refinement. This push will be planted by the students interest in the instrument and the ability to set realistic goals to keep the progress of the student perpetually moving forward. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop and hone their skills! I am extremely hands on and I listen very intently during my sessions. I have a great "ear" which is my best asset. I encourage each student to progress at his or her own pace. I encourage this by maintaining a stress free environment. Each student has goals that I help them set after the first lesson which I use as a baseline to gauge strengths and opportunities. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I've had numerous students over the years, and at every lesson try to leave the student with a clear path to follow that is not too demanding, while still leading on to new levels of development. Many techniques I use are self-learned from trial and error.  I've done the work for the student.  This enables the student to make the most progress with limited practice time. I show my students how to practice, and also encourage them to explore the music they love. Read More