Types of Lessons Offered
I offer various types of lessons (in-person, online, or hybrid) that are provided separately or in combination.
Traditional, Classical-Oriented Lessons:
These lessons focus on learning notes, rhythms, dynamics, and musical expression and interpretation. I begin with the Music Tree method books, which focus on learning the notes through intervals (rather than position playing or finger numbers), in addition to sight reading, theory, and solos, either classical or pop. Intermediate and advanced students move on to learning classical repertoire and technique, scales, and arpeggios, and continue their theory and sight reading studies.
Jazz Lessons:
My jazz curriculum involves learning chord symbols, how to play from a lead sheet, improvisation, jazz styles, jazz technique, ii-V-I progressions, listening, transcription, and theory. Jazz lessons can be taken along with classical lessons.
Composition Lessons:
Students can learn to compose in various styles and genres, as part of piano lessons or as individual composition lessons.
Singing While Playing the Piano:
For this aspect of lessons, I focus on how to accompany yourself on the piano while singing either pop or jazz. Students learn how to play from a lead sheet and chord symbols, how to create accompaniments, how to draw on recordings for ideas, and how to create an arrangement that includes an introduction and ending to a song. Singing technique and breath control are not addressed (I recommend a voice teacher for those skills).
Optional additions to lessons:
Composing
Learning to play from a lead sheet
Choral and vocal accompanying
Traditional, Classical-Oriented Lessons:
These lessons focus on learning notes, rhythms, dynamics, and musical expression and interpretation. I begin with the Music Tree method books, which focus on learning the notes through intervals (rather than position playing or finger numbers), in addition to sight reading, theory, and solos, either classical or pop. Intermediate and advanced students move on to learning classical repertoire and technique, scales, and arpeggios, and continue their theory and sight reading studies.
Jazz Lessons:
My jazz curriculum involves learning chord symbols, how to play from a lead sheet, improvisation, jazz styles, jazz technique, ii-V-I progressions, listening, transcription, and theory. Jazz lessons can be taken along with classical lessons.
Composition Lessons:
Students can learn to compose in various styles and genres, as part of piano lessons or as individual composition lessons.
Singing While Playing the Piano:
For this aspect of lessons, I focus on how to accompany yourself on the piano while singing either pop or jazz. Students learn how to play from a lead sheet and chord symbols, how to create accompaniments, how to draw on recordings for ideas, and how to create an arrangement that includes an introduction and ending to a song. Singing technique and breath control are not addressed (I recommend a voice teacher for those skills).
Optional additions to lessons:
Composing
Learning to play from a lead sheet
Choral and vocal accompanying
