Piano Lessons in Starmount Forest, NC

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I use my own method books alongside other pedagogical resources such as the guitar methods left by Carulli, Carcassi, Sor, Brouwer, and many others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Synthesizer Electric Violin Fiddle

I've had the pleasure of helping and mentoring countless colleagues and fellow students through my career. I've learned through the years that there is no one single curriculum to rule them all. I tend to see them like The Pirate's Code...just a guideline. Musicians bring more than just their ability into the classroom; they also bring their personality! Likes, dislikes, family, favorite foods, favorite video games...they all contribute to the musician that they are, or aspire to be. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

In the technical area I generally start with the Bastien or Alfred Series of Method Books. The student will lean to incorporate the technical and artistic to understand piano music especially can elicit different feelings. I take what the student is interested in music wise in order as a teaching tool. Also, I am incorporating in person and virtual lessons as we know the world has changed and we have found there are different ways to a great outcome. Read More

Instruments: Piano

What drives my passion for teaching is the collaborative atmosphere and those "a-ha!" moments when a lightbulb goes off. Learning is all about the act of discovery, and I facilitate students in finding their natural love of music. I challenge students to approach problems from all angles to help them understand music on a deeper level. Recognizing and rewarding every small improvement helps the student gain confidence, which in the long run makes for better musicianship. 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 Voice

I grew up surrounded by music, theatre, sports and teaching; Mom was a music major, her instrument was piano, and Dad was a theatre major (who went to college on a football scholarship) and he played the drums. My earliest memories are of Mom playing the piano, Dad drumming, and me dancing all over the living room. I have been singing since I could talk and I started taking piano lessons around the age of 6. Read More