Brian M
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Opera, New Age, Avant-garde
Brian M
Instruments: Piano
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Opera, New Age, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
2020 Awarded and completed composition residency with HIAP, Helsinki international artist program
2021 awarded music composition residency with Greta ja William Lehtisen foundations helsinki
2020 recorded and published album solo piano compositions “olemus” on Spotify and all platforms
2020-21 worked with Estonian based filmmaker Alena Schminke to complete 3 video projects
Here are a couple of reviews from students: “Ian’s experience with Sebastian has been nothing short of wondrous. Sebastian has the unique ability to find a musical connection with a broad range of students, From prodigies to students like my son who simply want to know the joy of playing music. Sebastian is able to meet the students where he or she is at in their musical journey and coax that student to move forward at their own pace. He has a gentle enthusiasm that provides enough momentum for a teenager to “stick with it” so that progress can be achieved. He is truly a master of his kraft” Erik Heegard, M.D.
I am classically trained but I also compose music extensively on a daily basis . I have had a life long passion for music and started playing when I was eight years old. I am currently the pianist for the ballet program at Macalester College, LIse Houlton's professional class at MDT, the Metropolitan Ballet, and Ballet Minnesota. Growing up I studied 10 years with Yakov Gelfand, Phd from St. Petersburg Conservatory. I also studied in Hungary with Gulays Istvan, professor at the Franz List Conservatory in Budapest. I have been teaching piano for over ten years and my students advance rapidly. We work very hard but try to have a little fun too.
I teach students technique, theory, Classical repertoire, and also whichever contemporary pieces they would like to learn. I can learn almost any style and teach it by ear. So in a typical lesson we will start with some scales or technique, move on to some Bach or Mozart, and then try something by ear. Some examples of songs I’ve been working on with students lately are: Chopin c minor Waltz, Sibelius opus 76 Etude, Prince purple rain, Motley Crew home sweet home, Duke Ellington A train, and La Nieve-which my own composition- But classical training is the basis where it all starts
Teaching is a step by step process and it takes time, effort and patience. I like to break things down into easily attainable steps and then build from there. This builds confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment. I was taught by Russian, Hungarian, and American teachers. I received a very traditional type of classical training which I do follow and teach. But I also play duets with most of my students. And we do things by ear, pick up songs off YouTube, etc. If there is a song which inspires a Studetn to want to play I will learn it and teach it to them! But they will also get the basic building blocks to be competent on the instrument. One can’t ignore the fundamentals. .
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