Mark G
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop
Mark G
Instruments: Piano
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
Ages Taught: 80-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
BA Oakland University in Composition and Performance (piano)
Awards:
Numerous ASCAP Plus Awards as a composer. The recipient of NEA and MCA awards and grants for composing and performance.
Overview:
My musical background encompasses a wide and varied musical life. I begin my study of piano at the age of 15 after selling my drum set and purchasing a piano with the proceeds. My parents were probably quite happy. One year later I began to study formally. After high school I begin to compose songs that had very classical oriented piano accompaniments. In college I decided to compose more than perform .. though I still enjoy performing, especially my own compositions. For the past 30 years my work has been performed and heard in the U.S, Canada and in Europe.
EXPERIENCE
From the time I was able to play intermediate to advanced piano literature I always had a few students who expressed interest in learning. At the time it was more an aside for me rather than a true avocation. In 1988 a dear friend and piano teacher asked if I would take over her private students and classes for a few months as she recovered from an illness. It was then I discovered I truly enjoyed teaching... both the individual and in a class like setting. Since that time I have been teaching nearly full time with great success. Many of my students have gone on to receive high scores in regional evaluations, scholarships and give numerous performances in their communities. The learning of music, for the most part, is unlike nearly anything else. There is emotion and heart involved. You are teaching something that inspires a students spirit and the depths of their nature. In this sense, for me, teaching piano and musicianship skills can be as much about creating a healthy and nurturing relationship between the student and teacher as learning the materials of music.
METHODS USED
While my approach might be considered conservatory oriented, I also believe that music can be approached in a fun, yet serious, manner, allowing beginning students to explore their personal need for musical self expression without compromising the serious effort necessary to achieving a student's musical goals. Quite often this involves using various method books along with creating the right supplemental materials for their level of ability. Along with the learning of classical pieces of progressing levels of difficult which help in the development of technique and a solid musical foundation, my students also explore popular music, jazz and many other style.
LESSON STYLE
Every student is different and what may work for one may not work for another. And every student has their own musical aspirations. Some may be content playing the most simple Christmas tunes. Some may want to play more popular tunes and some may have their hearts set on learning all three movements to the "Moonlight" sonata by Beethoven. While the language of music (the musical alphabet, notation, expressions etc.) will be consistent, how this language is taught can vary from student to student. in the 30 years I've been teaching piano and musicianship skills I've discovered that, to a person, everyone is far more capable than they might assume. So, along with that actual academic aspect of teaching music, my job is to encourage, motivate and to help pleasantly surprise the beginning student with they own untapped ability. Sometimes this takes gentle prodding, sometimes humor and a bit of controlled craziness, sometimes, with a parents approval, it might take a push not unlike preparing for a math text the following week. But they discover they can do it and an entirely new plateau opens up for them that takes them to another level of musical ability.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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