Piano with Dave L.

Teaching Experience: Private Lessons - 20+ years Public School - 4 years Primary Instruments taught: piano, woodwinds Masters Degree in TV/Film Music Orchestration - 2019 University of Chichester, United Kingdom Bachelor's Degree in Music Education - 2001 University of Central Florida While teaching for the St. Johns County School system in St. Augustine Florida from 2002-2006, Dave was twice nominated for Teacher of the Year and wrote several award winning grants for his school's music program. Certifications from the state of Florida he has held include K-12 instrumental music. Performance Experience: Dave as performed and worked throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and also in Europe, & the Caribbean. His primary instruments include keyboard instruments and saxophone. Dave has performed or toured directly with artists such as 80's Pop icon Tiffany, Heidi Newfield (formerly of the platinum selling band, Trick Pony), late Opry star, Mel McDaniel, Grammy nominated vocalist, John Berry, and has been touring and recording with platinum selling band, Sister Hazel since 2012. Dave has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry numerous times as well as national television, with shows including The Late, Late Show w/ Craig Ferguson, The Academy of Country Music Awards, and various TV specials on the Trinity Broadcast Network. Prior to and since moving to Nashville in late 2007, Dave has always established a solid reputation among the professional musical community and continues to reach new goals each year as a musician and music educator. Dave is excited to be soon relocating back to his home state of Florida where he will continue to teach privately in the SW FL area. Professional endorsements include, Nord Keyboards, Accusound Cables, and Westone In-Ear Monitors. *** Lesson Details *** All students who sign up for lessons will receive a basic fundamental foundation of musical knowledge. Once the fundamentals are understood and assessed, we can then begin to take a more in depth approach in reaching the student's specific goals as a musician. Aspiring songwriters, usually playing piano or guitar will have a different agenda than a high school saxophonist practicing for their state music assessments. Lessons are built around each student's specific interests. It is important to know that your musical goals can be met with consistent practice, discipline, and dedication to your chosen instrument. So what is the most valuable and sometimes the most difficult skill musicians must learn and subscribe to? HOW to practice...and that will be the underlying theme to each and every lesson we share. The way we practice shapes us as musicians! Remember that each time people hear you play or sing, you are only compared to the best there is. Smart practice makes perfect! *** Studio Equipment *** 88 keys fully-weighted, music stand; iPad, Metronome, musical literature. *** Travel Equipment *** Apple iPad, metronome *** Specialties *** Traditional methods for all instruments; begin with fundamentals while measuring consistent application of skills learned from week to week. For piano in addition to traditional methods, I also can teach a songwriter based course with more emphasis on chord structures, ear training, and chart writing. I also place a big emphasis on HOW to practice rather than just how often.