Piano Lessons in Petrolia, PA

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

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I started playing the saxophone at the age of seven. Having an incredible middle school band teacher, I was drawn to teaching at an early age. In 2001, I completed my student teaching at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in I K-12 Instrumental Music Education. I have taught students in various music classes, mostly band and music technology, in alternative, independent, and public schools for 15 years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

It is very easy today to record lessons and send students home with different songs to play along to. Drums are much more fun when you play with other musicians and one way to do that is with recordings. Again there is room for me to bring music to the student, but also room for the student to bring something to me that they want to learn. Also a great opportunity to show the similarities between and differences between these two events. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When I was 8 years old, my aunt gave me my very first piano lesson. I have such fond memories of that time with her. I still remember how we would sit on the couch and I'd try to name off the notes on my music flashcards as quickly as possible so no card would be put in the back of the pile for a redo! Fast-forward a few years and I am a Bemidji State University alumna with a dual degree in K-12 vocal music education and piano performance & pedagogy and a recent graduate with my masters degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Miami, Frost school of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer

I have been interested in music since I was very young. At age 6 I performed my first song on the family piano from a recording, only heard by ear and a few minutes after listening to it carefully. I have also worked with music in conjunction with computers using MIDI technology and have composed my own original songs; re-arranged public domain songs and produced audio CDs using all the technology combined right in my own studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Piano teaching has also given me the chance to work with wonderful families from around the world, and I have found that I often learn many things from my students, as they learn from me. Learning music has been a creative outlet, a great source of joy, and has provided me the confidence and skills to learn other subjects. My hope is to share my gifts with my students so that they can develop a love and appreciation for music, as well as opportunities to grow and learn artistically. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

For beginning students, I typically use a combination of methods. For clarinet teaching, I like to use the Breeze-Easy method and also some materials from the Rubank method books. For intermediate or school-aged students, I like to supplement the material they are learning in school. I like to continue to use Rubank, Klose, and Rose books to continue to develop technique and musicality. For more advanced students or adult learners, I try to cater to the specific interests of the student while continuing to work on improving fundamental skills on the instrument. Read More