Music Lessons in Southwest, PA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Teaching music is like growing a plant in the garden. It takes support and love of music for this to work.. I can promise each one of my students will walk away with a better understanding of the guitar. Finding the music that clicks with each students is important in finding the passion and love for music that exist in each and every person. Understanding each students journey to becoming a musician is different makes the journey and process that much more interesting. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My experience as an instructor is relatively recent considering I just graduated from college. For the past few years as an undergraduate, I taught private lessons from home. I am eager about encouraging regular practice to gain more ability and achieve greater passion for the guitar. Performing concerts and composing songs is recommended to help students become the musician they want to be. I am always searching to instruct new students of all ages! Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For younger students (less than 5), I think Suzuki method would probably work best! We would focus on small exercises to establish good posture and sound while learning mainly through imitation and listening. When a student is able, I do encourage some theory as to read music fluently and gain understanding of basic musical concepts. At this age, I also encourage weekly technical exercises (scales, etudes) to improve ability and fluidity of playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano

The two methods I typically use for young beginners are "The Music Tree" by Franicis Clark, and "Piano Adventures" by Faber and Faber. As the child progresses, I add supplemental materials and more advanced performance pieces that may be used for recitals. For adults, there are a variety of good methods that I draw from, taking their genre and style preferences in mind. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music

Arias maintains a roster of trumpet and piano students through both her personal studio and the Monroeville Music Lesson Center. She serves as the trumpet coach for the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and is the trumpet instructor for the Norwin High School Marching Band. During her graduate studies, she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. James Stokes at the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University and was previously the trumpet teacher for George Rogers Clarke High School in Winchester, KY; a counselor for the Morehead State University Summer Arts Academy; and an instructor for the West Union Performing Arts Camp. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Each brand new bagpiping student will have to start with the practice chanter. This small instrument is how we bagpipers learn, rehearse, memorize, and re-learn all music before attempting it and perfecting it on the full bagpipes. Bagpipers have to know what they are doing with their hands so when they add the full instrument, they are almost on "auto-pilot" and can focus on blowing good tone into the bagpipe. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching violin and viola for the last 10 years. My students have ranged from 4 thru 25 years of age. I love teaching the violin and viola to students who desire to learn the instruments regardless of their goals for the instrument. I strive to keep my students motivated, and if the student is bored with what is being taught I find something to inspire them. I, however, do not teach students that are unwilling practice. Read More