Piano Lessons in Richardsville, VA

Instruments: Piano Cello

Beginner school-aged cellists:  I start this group off in the Essential Elements book 1 to ensure that the student is getting the fundamentals or theory and technique.  After the student feels comfortable playing with the bow, I add the Suzuki book 1 to the repertoire.  After completing Essential Elements Book 1, I then like to introduce the Schroeder etudes in addition to continuing to work our way through all 8 books in the Suzuki series. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I want to carry on my passion for music onto other students. I often try to acknowledge how well a student is doing whether they are pacing fast or slow. No matter where and how a student gets stuck, I always will try to work out difficulties and obstacles by working closely alongside them and encouraging them. I also have a system for students where they will earn a star if they reach a certain goal, so that they will feel like the accomplished musicians they will become. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. I not only use books, but videos, lots of exercises to use when at home and formal presentations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I work to foster a love of music and a desire to excel in each of my students. I want them to practice because they love it and want to succeed! I also feel that it is important to be a well rounded musician, so we will focus on theory, sight reading, composition, musicianship, performance-practice, and other important and fun aspects of music. I believe that it is important to be grounded in a classical foundation (for both piano and voice students), but I also make sure to bring in pieces of the student's favorite style- which I find helps motivate them to practice and enjoy lessons even more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For young beginner piano students, I keep the number of books to a minimum so lessons dont become too overwhelming, and in order to help them stay organized. I often recommend the first Alfred All-inOne book, plus a Just the Facts music theory book which students love because there are fun games and activities at the end of each lesson. Once the student has learned enough fundamentals, I will recommend other books and provide supplemental material. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students I will utilize either the "Alfred's Basic Piano Library" or "Faber - Hal Leonard's Piano Adventures" with the particular books selected to fit the student's age and skill level. I also enhance lessons by integrating scale pattern practice as well as exploration with simple boogie-woogie bass patterns; encouragement to sing and play where the lessons provide such an arrangement; and tinkering creating very simple melody lines and lyrics. Read More