Piano Lessons in William Penn Annex West, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Bass Guitar

I first began teaching music in 2006 as the trumpet instructor at Silver Creek Central School where I directed trumpet master classes for high school students.I later took on various private students teaching trumpet, guitar, electric bass, improvisation, and arrangement composition.While earning my Master of Music at the University of the Arts, I served as the trumpet department intern and was responsible for teaching private trumpet lessons, preparing transcriptions for class materials and live performances, and proctoring music theory exams.Also at UArts, I was a teaching assistant for the Freshman Jazz Improvisation class for which I conducted sectionals, administered exams, and offered critiques regarding inventiveness of improvisations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

I generally start each lesson by asking the student 1) what went well in their practicing and 2) if there is anything they found difficult. If they mention an area of difficulty we focus on that before making any attempt to play the piece through. I make the lesson a partnership in which we work together toward the goal of accomplishment. Once this has been realized, we then treat the piece as a finished product. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Latin Percussion

I grew up in a household that flourished with multiple music genres which led me to really try and be versatile in regards to creating music. I first played the drums in middle school where I never read music, only played back what was told. By the time I got to High School, I knew it was necessary to be able to understand theory and by practicing throughout my years in High School, I was able to sustain a successful audition with the school's jazz band. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Ensuring my students leave each lesson refreshed, revitalized, and energized is essential for me as an instructor. If the student is not fulfilled and having a great time, then I am not succeeding as an instructor. Likewise, creating realistic goals for each lesson as well as long-term goals is paramount to the success, continued growth, and progress of the students. Music lessons are a collaboration between the student and myself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When teaching classical piano, I use technique books like Hanon, Pischna for advanced beginners and intermediate. Material can range from Bach, Beethoven, Schumann etc. Contemporary methods usually from an approved song book or possibly a show tune. All students will learn from the previously method technique books. Beginners we will use some method book like Alfred or something similar. Guitar: Mel bay or something for sight reading. Wolfhardt for intermediate students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I make the student the focus of the lesson. I give them my complete attention. When I explain something which is new to the student I always try to have several ways to explain it. I try to keep the lessons feeling upbeat so the student can enjoy them. I do make it clear that practice is needed in order to become accomplished. It is no different from homework that they get from school. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More