Piano Lessons in Oakham, MA

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

I am both goal-oriented and open-ended with my students. At the beginning of lessons, I always check in with them to see how their progress was for the week and any questions or concerns that arose in their practice. I find this puts the ownership on them to reflect on their week of music making (and help them to remember that practice happens more than just in the lesson!). Often, students come to me with interesting observations and questions about their instrument and it engages them more personally. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

Students learn best in a relaxed, nurturing environment.  I believe in order to successfully teach, I need to be encouraging, and truly care about the students.  My goal is to always have the students improve.  To do this, I think students need a well-balanced diet of tone (Moyse De la Senorite can be used), technique (scales for younger students, Maquarre Daily Excercises or Taffanel and Gaubert Daily Excercises for more advanced students), etudes (Melodious and Progressive Studies), and pieces (I consult the NYSSMA manual for appropriate pieces for the students level).  Having taken Alexander Technique, I strongly emphasize posture so that students can use their bodies in the most efficient way.  Individualized instruction allows for teachers to cater to the needs of the student, challenging the students without frustrating them.  Everyone is unique and learns at different rates, so no two lessons will ever be the same.  I teach students how to practice, so that they can progress outside of the 30 min. or hour long lesson.  As for performance standards, I have used rubrics for tone, technique, articulation, phrasing, and breathing.  Once strengths and weaknesses are assed, I create a plan to help the student improve, which is what students and teachers want to hear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder

Every student has different goals in their music lessons. I aim to create a fun and safe learning environment that doesn't put unnecessary pressure on students. No matter what one teaches, the burden to learn ultimately lies on the student. I believe what truly makes a great teacher is the ability to invoke interest in the given topic, so that the student wants to learn more! I strive to help my students find the same joy I get from music and desire to practice/learn more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Oboe English Horn Keyboard

Over the years, I have come to understand that each individual has a different path to follow. Teaching in one specific way could help one student, but that same way could hamper another. For that reason, I create my teaching material after meeting my students. Although I have a lesson plan that includes the fundamentals of music, I adjust the way I teach the material in response to my students needs, interests and temperaments. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My favorite part of teaching is witnessing the student's joy as he or she plays his or her first piece from beginning to end with full confidence. In order to achieve this I provide as much encouragement as possible in well performed passages, and zero-in on trickier passages. I require that my students practice as regularly as possible and most of their assigned homework consists in suggesting strategies or exercises to master those trickier passages as soon as possible and move on to even trickier ones. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I tend to emphasize theory as well as playing when Im teaching my students because learning music is more effective when supported by theory. Learning a musical indtrument requires a high level of concentration to learn and understand the music, and to memorize and perform it, so it can be helpful for students with other learnings or activities. Moreover the process of completing a piece is more difficult and time consuming than we think, but through this kind of practice, kids can develop their patience and discipline. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

For young beginners of piano, I start with Edna Mae Burnam's Step By Step Book 1, as it begins right away with basic reading of notes and music. From there, I progress into the Faber Piano Adventures Series. Adults will start with the Alfred Adult Piano Course. Voice students are welcome to choose one song each cycle, while I choose two. It's important to me that they get to express themselves and what they like, while also learning new pieces for their repertoire. Read More