Piano Lessons in Jamestown, NC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I'm trying to put each student in touch with their inner creative. Everyone learns at a different pace and my approach is to teach something to mastery level rather than fill a quota. Inspiration and the joy of playing is first and foremost with my approach. By breaking difficult passages down into digestable pieces and making attainable goals, I find this keeps the student interested and builds confidence to overcome weaknesses. Read More

Instruments: Piano

What drives my passion for teaching is the collaborative atmosphere and those "a-ha!" moments when a lightbulb goes off. Learning is all about the act of discovery, and I facilitate students in finding their natural love of music. I challenge students to approach problems from all angles to help them understand music on a deeper level. Recognizing and rewarding every small improvement helps the student gain confidence, which in the long run makes for better musicianship. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

My teaching methods includes: • Focus on building independent musicianship • Sequence of activities moving from simple to complex • Inclusion of movement as part of the teaching process • Sound before symbol • Instruments used as an extra tool for learning • Rhythm Syllables • Authentic music from different cultures is important • Folk dancing/structured movement • Building positive musical experiences • Fostering personal expression Each week the student and I will set attainable goals to progress at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music

Eric Schwartz has studied composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music, New York University, and both the Interlochen and Aspen Summer Music Festivals. Past teachers have included Margaret Brouwer, Donald Erb, George Tsontakis, and Randy Woolf. Primarily interested in a synthesis of musical archetypes, Schwartz is always at work on a variety of genre bending projects. Formative influences include an amalgamation of the glam metal of the late 80’s, and the baroque intellectualism of Arnold Schoenberg. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Joshua is a Filipino-American composer and classical guitarist from North Carolina. He is currently a graduate student at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro pursuing his Masters in Music Composition and studying under Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty. Joshua graduated from Campbell University in 2011, completing his undergraduate studies in three years (2008-2011), with a B.A. Music Composition and B.A. in Guitar Performance. In his three years at Campbell he has studied Composition and Orchestration with Dr. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Synthesizer Electric Violin Fiddle

I love to ask questions about the student's thought process, and you will commonly see me "break down" technique into smaller, more digestable pieces. I will also take the time to discuss the musical setting of the piece to give the performance more context. For example, did you know that Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 21 in e minor was written around the time his mother passed, and is the only instrumental piece he wrote that rests in e minor? Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon Keyboard Djembe

For beginning students, I start with the Essential Elements book. If the student has already taken lessons or is in their school band/orchestra, I encourage moving onto the Rubank Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced method books depending on ability. Once a student has proven that they are able to handle it, I will start on solo repertoire. Particularly for college-bound musicians who wish to major in music, the majority of their lessons will be based on preparing solo literature for All District or college auditions. Read More