Dawn S  
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Pop, Musical Theater, Opera

I began teaching piano when I was in eighth grade, teaching beginners. During my undergraduate years, I maintained a full private studio of beginning to intermediate students, and while living in Germany, I taught piano and voice at a private German music studio and in my home. The age range of my students has spanned from five to 70, and I enjoy teaching all levels of students. I have taught piano, voice, and composition to college level music majors. I incorporate composing and improvising into all of my teaching. My goal is to help my students not only become fluent in the language of music so that they can pursue music as an activity throughout their lives, whether as professionals or amateurs, but also to develop physically and mentally healthy, positive approaches to their practicing and performing. I am fluent in German and have studied French, Italian, Norwegian, and Swedish, so I am also able to coach advanced singers in diction. I have worked extensively with opera singers and professional instrumentalists, so I am also available as a coach for singers and instrumentalists.

An important element of my teaching is a holistic coordination between mind and body. I have studied Alexander Technique, which is a method of finding the most relaxed, efficient physical movement, beginning with natural, healthy posture. I have studied vocal pedagogy extensively and have done research on vocal injury. With my beginning piano students, I have developed my own methods and exercises to familiarize them with notation and the keyboard. I use Bela Bartok's Microcosmos, a series of small, fun, interesting pieces designed for teaching piano, and as students gain musical fluency, I introduce easy classical pieces. I have also used the "Russian method." For adults, I find James Lykes piano method book to be wonderful. For voice students, I often use Clifton Ware's "Adventures in Singing," which includes valuable information, exercises, and a variety of songs. I help students discover and explore their voices and find music that is appropriate for their age, range, and timber. Helping my students develop healthy physical and emotional practice habits, whether on piano or in singing, is of utmost importance to me. I encourage students to let me know which pieces they especially enjoy learning. I find that in many cases, even young beginners gravitate towards the classics and well-composed music. As a female composer, I am passionate about incorporating improvising and composing into my teaching, not only because it accelerates musical fluency and sensitivity, but because many individuals with innate creative talent do not explore this area because they don't think they are capable of creating music themselves. I also help students discover music via listening to performances on Youtube. Although I was mainly trained in the classical tradition, I have performed some jazz, folk, and pop. There are many commonalities between all music genres, and I help singers and pianists develop the musical knowledge, sensitivity, and skills appropriate for whatever style they choose.