Art L  
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Organ
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk

My teaching experience, on the individual and private level, goes back to my college days where I would tutor other students in piano to pass their keyboard barriers.  While in the active duty military (I'm retired now), I provided private lessons to children and adults in my available time.  It is important to remember that a student's individual practice time is invaluable; the lesson time is NOT supposed to be the first time to be reviewing an assigned piece!  I believe in students performing a recital to show off all of the hard work during the year.  Also, students who are very adept at challenging pieces I often recommend to be placed in piano competitions.

For beginning students, I usually start with a reputable method book that will allow them to advance in "grades" as the skills get better.  At earlier stages of learning, the focus is on the technique towards learning the instrument.  As a student progresses into intermediate and advanced stages, several pieces from the solo repertoire (and if available ensemble pieces) become part of the curriculum.  Throughout the advancement in levels, I try to focus on selecting pieces that the indivdual student will have interest in while balancing pieces necessary for learning more difficult musical techniques.  Artistry becomes the main point when pitches, rhythms, and basic elements are mastered.