Piano Lessons in Middletown Township, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone

For all of my students of any age, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and learning a recognizable song hand picked by the student and approved by me. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce jazz repertoire, sight reading and things like, technical exercises, jazz improvisation, theory, ear training and classical music etudes. I also introduce my students to composition and different musical creation techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I have brought beginners who have never touched music before to work up to Bach and Vivaldi, as well as to their favorite classics like Fleetwood Mac. On the other hand, I have a high level of training and have coached young semi professionals before auditions and competitions to help fine tune their playing before the big day. I know what judge panels are looking for and this can be a helpful tool for a student trying to break into an academic or professional setting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I've been teaching private instrumental and general classroom music for over 30 years. As a child, I received many music lessons on piano and drums and percussion. I decided to focus more on drums and percussion because it offered more in terms of opportunities to perform in school bands and orchestras. In high school, my friends and I formed our own band. Having this experience proved invaluable in my professional life, as I continue to form and promote bands to this day. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Above all else, I believe that the learning process should be rewarding and fun! Setting incremental goals that can realistically be accomplished is important because developing skills of this type takes time and patience. I like students to work on both things that are their bread and butter while simultaneously working on more challenging material that will get students out of their comfort zone. I value having a positive personal and professional relationship with students, as lessons should feel like a safe space that students should WANT to come to! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Music is deeply personal; one must get to know each student's own personality, interests, and connections to music. Early on (both in the teaching relationship and in each lesson) one must assess where the student is, as to technical and musical growth, and with the music at hand. Then one finds, models, explains and encourages the next steps the student can achieve. Clear guidance and dialogue about what will happen outside the studio (listening, practice, rehearsal, performance) helps turn the weekly cycle of lessons into an upward spiral of progress, achievement, and reward. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Double Bass Keyboard

Children who study with me don't just learn how to 'play' the music, they learn how to really 'PERFORM' it--wide range of volume, lots of expression, and true musicality! Teens (13-18) typically prefer to choose their own curriculum. They are mature enough to appreciate a classical background, and we study the great composers and all their famous pieces, which inform their understanding of music history as well. I like to introduce teenagers to a variety of genres and styles and widen their palette, so they can eventually choose what they would like to focus on developing with me. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

For my beginning piano students, I emphasize the twelve major and minor scales with proper fingering, first one octave and then two octaves. These exercises strengthens fingers and create more familiarity with the keyboard. I use the book, Level 1 The Older Beginner Piano Course by James Bastien and the companion book, Musicianship for the Older Beginner. I have seen results when these books are used in tandem. The student increases in technique and start to master music theory simultaneously. Read More