Piano Lessons in West Newton, IN

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I started playing guitar at age 8. In my formative years I studied with various instructors around central Indianapolis until mid year of '85. Upon this time I studied a full year with James Lee Thorpe whom eventually played, toured recorded with Sweet F.A. They released albums with MCA Chrysalis Records. I began composing my own riffs, melodies and solo work at age 15 also. I studied Music Theory my Junior year at Ben Davis High School. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

As a technologically savvy teacher I always video record recitals, encouraging them to enjoy the culmination and fruits of their progress. I don’t own knowledge, but I teach my students to be hungry for answers. In my lessons I strive to develop independent musical thinking and teach my students how to make their own musical decisions for the right reasons. I show them how to practice and when and why one uses specific practice techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano

-Practicing is important, but the most essential way to improve is to USING THE CORRECT METHOD TO PRACTICE. -A wrong way to practice the piano might lead a dead end no matter how long you spend on the piano, but a good method will cost you less than half the energy to yield the best result in piano playing. -I use the simplest and correct methods to help you play the piano, which was discovered and summarized by my piano knowledge and experience combined with my professors' guideline which was from the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory and the Jacobs School of Music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Flute Organ

There are several different method books that I like to use with my students based on age, knowledge/experience, and of course if the method book they use is something they will enjoy; it's very difficult if a student doesn't like the book they're using so I try to give them options. For beginners, I like to use John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course or the Schuam method books. For additional practice and work, I like to use Schaum's Fingerpower and have the student write out the notes then recite them aloud while playing the exercise. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe the foundation of progress is consistency, so I try to establish routines with my students, spending part of each lesson on technical exercises, theory/aural skills training, and repertoire. I also set performance goals for students by organizing recitals *this has been more tricky during Covid, but I think it is important nonetheless to get students to perform from memory at least twice a year (once at the end of fall and spring terms). Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

As an adult, I have taken pedagogy with the head of the pedagogy department at Olivet Nazarene University, Piano from Dr. Karen Ball, flute from Gary Schocker, and voice lessons from members of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Always looking to improve myself through individual study, I also get excited when I learn things from my students. Music is such an exciting field to be involved in and my teaching studio reflects that - I teach many different styles, curriculums, and provide many opportunities for sharing our music outside the studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Drums Organ Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching on and off since 2010 and now teach almost exclusively from my home studio in Bloomington, IN. I've had the experience of teaching everyone from 4 year olds to advanced adult students and implemented various teaching methods for the many different minds learning styles. I always liked to look at the art of music like learning a language so I have since learned to create individualized lesson plans for my students that gives students plenty time to "speak", that is learning the fundamentals, phrases, and tools to share their personal story and to study the vast pedigree of music that has come before them. Read More