Music Lessons in Stockdale, PA

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar

I come to teaching with the understanding that every student is different. We will try to get at each problem in a variety of ways, and see what works for you. We will also gear our curriculum towards the student's own interests, keeping in mind that there is plenty of material that is common to everyone's growth. Since lesson time is limited, I won't waste time telling stories or lecturing you about different musical concepts. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I meet with students for an introductory lesson. We discuss their goals. I suggest method books, online learning tools, and other strategies that they can use while they study and practice. During lessons, we review songs, techniques, theory, and other concepts that they are studying and need to improve on. In my experience, by providing a custom lesson plan, students can improve in the areas that they want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been teaching since 2006 and have had students become music educators and amateur musicians. I have students performing in PMEA district band, honors bands, HS marching bands and community bands. I work with clarinet and saxophone students of all levels, and beginner piano students. When students are interested, I can provide performance experience through a few recital opportunities. I am constantly exploring new teaching techniques and finding ways to best reach my students individually. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I encourage progress. I love to see students become stronger and more confident musicians. I like to get students as much into "the real world" as possible, so I push for getting students performing as much as they are learning. I separate practice from performance, with an understanding that how a student sheds will be the core of what is possible in a performance setting.  Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Flute Piccolo Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching methods are much different than what I grew up with. I remember at times being so worried to go to my lessons. I want my time with the students to be positive, open and understanding. In terms of books and repertoire, I do love using Hal Leonard for beginners. Once fundamentals are in place we can explore repertoire together so that the student is truly learning music they love and enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

For all beginning students who are children, but also adult beginners, I like to focus on vocal warm-ups and exercises to ensure that they develop the fundamentals of healthy singing. After getting to know the student's voice a bit, I believe that coaching solo vocal repertoire is essential to building vocal technique and confidence in performing ability for many different situations. When assigning vocal repertoire, I first like to find out what sort of music the student is interested in and also what their goals are in taking voice lessons and assign repertoire accordingly, but I also like to begin with songs from Schirmer's 24 Italian Songs and Arias book to strengthen basic breath support and a vocal line that is connected to good breath support. Read More