Voice Lessons in Durham, NC

Instruments: Piano Voice

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
A rigid daily practice schedule is imperative to a student's success. Practice on selected pieces and etudes is mandatory, but the student must work with exercises that improve agility, poise, position and accurate fingering. Before taking lessons each student should study their everyday schedule and determine the time of day (including Saturdays and Sundays)that is the most consistently uninterrupted time for one hour of practicing. Without practice, progress is slow and could lead to frustration and a discouraged spirit which is a deterrant to a proficient musician.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Interest and/or the desire to learn music could be detectable as early as age 4. Exposure is key. If a piano is in the home and played often, a child will naturally be curious and will want to be able to make the beautiful sounds they hear. If a piano is not in the home, the child may develop an interest through exposure during school hours or during after school care. Parents should be sure to keep an open ear for indicators of interest. If it is consistent, by all means start their lessons as soon as possible.

When will I start to see results?
Results could be visible as early as 3 months provided the student consistently practices each and every day for at least one hour. Missed or inconsistent practices results in a re-learning mode which slows progress. Parents are encouraged to guard weekly practices and lessons against interruptions which cause the student to be distracted. If distracted they have to start over, which wastes time. I spend a good deal of time during the first three months with basic music theory. This insures the grasping of music concepts and practical application.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
There are many. I am, however, most proud of my opportunities to work with several renowned musicians, choral and instrumental. It has indeed been a blessing to be trained by well-known pianists and choral directors in an education setting or through my music ministry with the Church. One very memorable highlight, if I had to choose one, would be my opportunity to perform with a choral group at Carnegie Hall in New York. This is good to share with my students as it instills in them the need for consistent practice, practice, practice. Carnegie Hall is conceivable!

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Keeping your eyes solely on the score was a challenge. Mastery of this skill is imperative if a student wants to play really well. It does, however, takes time, practice and patience to reach this level, but it is a skill that must be learned early. Thus, I teach this to my adult students but also include this practice with my younger students. The earlier the skill is mastered the better the student's progress. It gives me such joy when a student is excited that they mastered even a couple of measures of a song without looking at the score.

Read More