Piano Lessons in William Penn Annex West, PA

Instruments: Piano

The lesson style is traditional and will provide homework opportunities to practice learned skills. Music is about fun and I provide a low-pressure environment to pursue the education of music. Music is process oriented and I tailor lessons to the individual student's learning style. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have been teaching for 36 years, and I love when students have fun at their lesson and are excited about their pieces. In my experience I find every student learns differently, and so I have developed various approaches to solve a wide assortment of technical problems. I have expertise in correcting those habits and problems that frustrate students and lead to performance issues. I work well and have successfully taught children diagnosed with emotional and behavioral difficulties like ADHD and anxiety disorders. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

It is important for both me and my student to have long-term and short-term goals. Long-term goals may have to do with technique--for voice, examples may be releasing tension or singing with proper breath support. Short term goals are more linked to repertoire and can be technical or musical. An example on the piano may be playing through a piece with a particular metronome marking. I have each of my students use a practice log so both the student and I can keep track of short-term goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder

I studied transverse flute at Moravian College with Robin Kani from 1985-1992. From March 1996 to May 1997, I studied with Brooks De-Wetter Smith at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I studied recorder for two semesters at Moravian College with professors Dr. Paul Larson and Dr. Larry Lipkis, composer in residence and performer with the Baltimore Consort. 1994 I began to teach privately. I have taught Suzuki flute Book one to beginners,from 1996-1997 in Chapel Hill, NC, and also at the Lehigh Conservatory from 1998-2002 I also teach intermediate to advanced level in flute and baroque recorder. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Mary has primarily studied classical trumpet, but also has training in jazz and world music. She currently plays principal trumpet in the Bravura Philharmonic and occasionally performs with the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, and the Garden State Philharmonic. Shes also a member of the Philly Bloco and the Bella Vista Brass Quintet. Shes been involved in many performance groups including but not limited to the Vassar Wind Ensemble, Penn Orchestra, Marsyas Ensemble and numerous Purchase Conservatory ensembles including the symphony orchestra, graduate brass quintet, Latin jazz orchestra, klezmer ensemble, and the new music ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

From there I take the student through Bach's inventions, Clementi and Kuhlau sonatinas, and childrens' music by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. If a student leans towards a preference for popular styles, I use the Faber and Faber Jazz and Blues series and acquaint the student with jazz chords and patterns. For adults or college students I generally use the Hal Leonard Adult Piano Course which is highly effective for older students. Read More