Mavis D  
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, Spirituals

My lessons can be fun! Students know that they can approach me with any questions or comments that arise from the subject matter at hand. In spite of this informality, they can rely on my knowledge and experience in the music world. I now teach successfully on Skype or Zoom with distant learners. My students with regular practice (so important) can progress from beginner to advanced. Technique is important such as scales, chords and theory but once reading music a student can diversify into their own particular styles such as jazz, classics and other popular styles. ABRSM exams are offered to those who are interested. Concerts are encouraged. Advanced beginners and those who wish to learn piano who play an orchestral instrument are also welcome in my studio.

For beginning students who are children, I start with the Faber Piano Adventures which includes the theory book, so all is learnt together. The keyboard is learnt from the first lesson. Depending on the age of the student, most just play he two black notes with the white notes of CDE. Doggy D is in the middle. Using any finger, a beginner can go home and play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on those notes. The full keyboard is added with many songs played for fun. Once this is comfortable the staff can be introduced. Correct hand positions are introduced at this early stage of learning. Although I use the above books, I also have many more materials which I add from my studio to assist with understanding. "C". Five finger positions are learnt first along with chords, but soon a student moves to other five finger keys, so I encourage a multi key approach. I progress from this early book to level 1, again with the theory and technical books. I also (depending on the student) enjoy the Bastien New Traditions "All in One Piano Course." All of these books have at each level of learning many popular styles which the student can choose. Solo repertoire is chosen well in advance for concerts, so all of my students play with confidence as all is internally learnt. For older students, I enjoy working with the Adult All-In-One course. Again, a multi key approach, with correct hand positions, five finger positions, chords, keys and which moves at an accelerated pace. Again, I use much of my own material to supplement as needed. The ABRSM exams for those interested includes, sight reading, scales etc. aural and a set of pieces set by the exam board for that particular year. A student this year received a Distinction for the grade 7 level exam. Another a distinction for the grade 4 level exam. Students for my last concert not only played Chopin, Mozart, Schubert and Bach but also Scott Joplin, Jazz styles, and examples such as "Rhapsody in Blue" I welcome all into my studio who with regular practice can succeed to their own desired ability for enjoyment.