Silvana C  
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Music
Styles: Classical, Pop, Folk, Musical Theater, Opera

I have been working with piano and voice students for more than 20 years. My students came from different cultures and backgrounds. Teaching young piano students is my specialty. Many kids are struggling with focus and discipline, so piano is a tool to improve their focus and discipline. Playing Piano is multi tasks, because pianists are reading two different clefs at the same time plus handling the paddle. It takes a great deal of coordination. Many my students have improved their struggles through piano lessons. Each year we have our annual piano recital at the National Opera America Center. Students can learn and improve their skills through preparation and performing on stage at the beautiful recital hall. I have been teaching voice students from age 12 to adult. They all learn singing for different purposes, and some of them were even being criticized as tone death in the past, but I never give up to help any students who love to sing. My program will be designed specifically for what their needs and purposes. Many of them have shown improvements and moved on to sing for productions at school and different music organizations.

I don’t believe one method fits all! I believe each person is an individual, so students should be taught as who they are with their own pace. I emphasize on communication, motivation, and patience for both piano and singing. Basically these 3 elements are missing in our society, especially young students. Everything is being promoted as “Express Way” now as learning process without the middle part, but this won’t work for piano or singing. The way how Mozart and Beethoven practiced piano was not that different from how we practice. That’s the special part of learning an instrument or singing, especially singing is physical, because we cannot see or touch our voice as instrument. I always encourage my students to develop their passion. The motivation will help them to go through struggles during practice. communication is the key of everything, so I value our communication as part of our success. When we can build a trust between us, students will respond much better through my instructions.