Melissa M
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Melissa M
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Keyboard
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-26
Master Degree: Florida State University, Bachelor Degree: Mannes College of Music
Finalist Nina Wideman Piano Competition
2nd Place Winner Josef Hoffman International Piano Competition
1st Place Florida Collegiate NFMC
1st Place Regional Collegiate NFMC
3rd Place National Collegiate NFMC
I started piano at the age of 8. Primarily educated under Russian tutelage, I have an emmense respect for outstanding commitment to excellence that they have instilled in me. I only hope to continue implementing the same level of instruction in my own studio. I believe everyone, young or not as young, has an aptitude to learn a musical instrument they love if they put both time and heart into the learning process. I have taught numerous students from when they were just a mere 5 or 6 years old until they graduated high school. Watching these students grow along with so many others has been the most rewarding experience for me. Whether it be performing in a piano competition or simply playing for loved ones at home or student recital, it is my greatest desire to help! I had the opportunity to study abroad in Russia for over a year and was able to pick up some of the language as well!
I have been teaching piano over 20 years since I graduated with my Masters Degree in Piano Performance from the Florida State Univerity and studied abroad at the Moscow Conservatory of Music as well as the Rachmaninov State Conservatory for a year and a half. After that, i taught at the Georgia Academy of Music as well as the Atlanta Music Academy for over 13 years before I moved back to the Orlando area to aid my parents in their elder years. I maintain a private studio in Mount Dora, Florida and assist my former piano teacher from my youth with her many students performing as an accompanist with various piano concerti. My students are very active in participating in the National Federation of Music Clubs.
I try my best to tailor my lessons according to each student's needs and goals. If he/she wants to learn a song they know, I highly encourage that! Bring on the Star Wars, Harry Potter, the Beatles, or Adele! I have been using Faber Adventures for many years but feel there is not "one" method that stands out as the superior source. I always provide supplemental material so that students can have fun and recognize what they play. I do however, believe in learning notation and not learn solely by imitation or by route. If students show great interest in classical music, I provide an encouraging approach to piano technique and also have a good understanding of music theory.
I am an encouraging, nurturing, and motivating piano teacher. While I believe scales, chords, and arpeggios are practical exercises, I don't teach these ad nausea. Unless a student is preparing for an exam (ABRSM, RSM, or GUILD) these excercises as well as Czerny, and Hanon can be an advantageous starting point to getting warmed up but definitely not a means to an end. I would classify myself as a teacher that motivates and encourages through humor but I do expect my students to improve on a weekly basis and can tell if they practiced or not!
Edwin Mejia
Hello, our daughter has been getting lessons at home from a very awesome teacher who was classically trained in Russia . Mellissa has taken our daughter to unbelievable heights and encouraged us to take part in music evaluations done ant the college schools in the area for accreditation as she is moving forward. Mellissa is so professional yet very patient and is a great suit to the aspiring talent . If you would like her number let me know in messenger and I’ll give you her number as my wife deals with her . I can’t recommend her enough and she lives in our Stooneybrook community.
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