Piano Lessons in Smithfield, NC

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Music Keyboard

My teaching experience dates back to when I was still in high school. I would go to middle schools and give lessons. Now as a college music graduate, I have taught many ages including college peers. I think it is important to teach skills and methods that will help the student problem-solve and continue to learn even when they are alone. My students have done well in auditions and chair tests, and I always encourage both recitals and competitions. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching style is instruction, encouragement and assignment. I will teach a concept and then encourage the student as they attempt to master the skill. I will then assign that concept and skill as homework. After the student masters that concept I will introduce another concept that builds upon the previous one. During each quarter of the year a piece of music is assigned where those concepts are necessary to perform the piece. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion

Teaching must be a two way street between the instructor and the student. There must be an understanding of the relationship and a willingness on both ends to take everything that they can out of the experience. I believe once this is done, a relationship can start to form between the two which will naturally help in the learning progress. For adults especially, constructive criticism is just as important as the praise when you do a good job. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

My instruction follows a broad method of teaching technique as well as musicality. I use method books such as Arbans, Clarke, Frink, Schlossberg, Concone, as well as several etude books like the Voxman series, Charlier, and others. Depending on the student's knowledge, I can teach theory concepts so the student can better understand the broad aspects of composition and improvisation. My main focuses are: rhythm, tone, playing technique, history, range, musicality with a broad library of different approaches to teaching through applied lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Studied Piano Pedagogy with Mary Elizabeth Land and has been teaching private piano lessons for 35 years.  As a member of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, students have the opportunity be adjudicated by some of the top musicians in Florida at Festival.  Ninety-nine percent of students in Cyndi's studio earn Superior rating at Festival. Cyndi also leads children's choirs in the area and sings in the Don Thompson Chorale, a community chorus in Jacksonville. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin

As mentioned above, I first began teaching guitar and piano during my college years. Also, I have taught music and English as a Second Language in North Carolina Public Schools, and guitar classes in community colleges. My instruction has included beginning to advanced elements of playing the guitar and music theory as it relates to the study of guitar. Additional areas of study included: different genres of music; playing rhythms of different song styles; understanding chord diagrams & reading tablature; and developing improvisation skills by learning how chords fit in a musical key, and relative scales. Read More