Piano Lessons in Pennsburg, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I structure my lessons in the same way I structure my own personal practice. I usually start off with a few technical exercises, then cover some theory, and then work on repertoire. How much time goes in to each category will depend on the student. A beginner tends to need more time on technique, whereas someone who has an audition or recital coming up will spend most of their time on repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When I took piano lessons, my teacher simultaneously taught John Thompson, John Schaum, and Alfred's Basic piano courses, which was a bit overwhelming! For children in particular, I believe that John Thompson does the most effective job of working from the fundamentals up to the classics. That said, private lessons are very personal, and I'm happy to work with any student to find the repertoire that is most engaging to them. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I encourage students to pick the music they want to play.  For those who have no prior music knowledge at all, there are numerous beginning methods that are satisfactory.  I teach harmony and ear training at a level in agreement with ability of the fingers to execute.   It is so nice to learn to play by ear, (starting with very simple tunes) going from the brain to the keyboard without the crutch of the paper score.  Of course this is the objective of preparation (study, practice) anyway, so the emotional feeling that the composer intended can be experienced and interpreted (and communicated to the audience) in a wonderful, magical way.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I teach half hour lessons and instruct the student on good reading habits, how to practice and perform, encouraging them to bring in any supplemental music they are working on at school or on the internet. The importance of practice cannot be over emphasized, nor can the encouragement (nagging!!) Of an interested parent. A student cannot learn an instrument just by coming to lessons. The teacher's role is to guide, correct and instruct the student on what to do at home to truly become a musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Excellent, nurturing Suzuki violin pedagogy - treating music as a mother tongue to absorb, imitate, and engage with - informs my methods for beginning and intermediate students. Gradually, as the student shows readiness, we blend in the traditional yet humane study of expert violin playing and thoughtful musicianship modeled for me in Dorothy DeLay's masterclass. As distinct from many string players, I am also a devoted and accomplished singer. So breathing, posture, phrasing, color, line, and articulation are key to my approaches to making and teaching music, and thus to helping my students x22singx22 through their playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Harp

I try to find out what my student's goals are and try to arrange lesson plans that will work steadily towards their goals.  I try to give them knowledge about interesting facts and tips each week of something that they may not consider.  For younger students I try to show them how to practice so that they can prepare themselves appropriately each week.  Also I encourage students to use a metronome.I try to emphasize becoming adept at note reading. Read More