Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 5+
Teaching since 2002
Master's of Music (Piano performance)
About David J.
Music has defined my life. Music made me discover passion.
Music is the structure that grounds me. Music is why I love
being a synesthete. Music is the international language I am
fluent in. Music is my story. Music is my home. Music is where
I escape this world. Music............. is love.
Learning the craft of Piano is not merely something you learn, it is something which changes you; something you become. From the perspective of the piano instructor, I firmly believe in the concept of learning music as steadily building a tower at which the student stands atop. Each building block you add to that tower must be laid with care, quality, specificity, assurance, validation, and be as equal, if not more important, than the one preceding it. A thorough lesson is an ingrained lesson, where the student does not leave without taking home with them a newly-acquired element, while fully-understanding it.
Learning the piano begins with inspiration, is fueled by encouragement, powered by dedication, and continued through aspiration. Each of these qualities should be held with great regard and properly instituted by the piano instructor. The piano instructor should be conscious of any opportunity to reinforce these characteristics through common practice among their students. I believe there is no such thing as distaste for an art form, only distaste for ways in which an art form is being taught. The student-teacher bond is a sacred connection, and through successful collaboration, I will strive to meet the studentâs goals, if not help surpass them.
I strongly enforce a well-rounded musical, and educational approach covering beyond simply the music. My goal will be to pass on my knowledge in a systemic fashion so that the student is gradually progressing outside of lesson times.
The fundamentals shall be reinforced, and the inclusion of theory shall be presented in a gradual manner so the student evolves properly along each level they build in their own personal tower of accomplishment (this may mean breaking old habits, and often many of them). The student should be encouraged to put in the effort of what they wish to gain from private instruction, and structural thinking will be enforced and developed among each aspiring pianist. Through my training and lessons I hope to teach the students how to train themselves to become well-balanced individuals, in the musical world, and overall. I hope my quest through music will shine upon them the doâs and donâts, haves and have-nots, and proper goals to seek in developing a craft which never ends.
Most of all, the one element I find soaring in importance above all else is fun. Was it not for this crucial element being taught to me from the very start, I may not have continued playing the piano all of these years. I hope to present lessons to students in a comfortable, studious, accommodating environment. The student's success becomes my own success, and I hope to be with them every step of the way- from note to note.
-David J.
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Biography
David J. was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on June 19th of 1987. At three years old he moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he grew up. David's early piano instruction began with his first teacher Beverly K. Mark in 1996. He then later moved onto the delightful studio of Eleanor and Lee Santo from 1999-2005. His pre-college studies were taken with Dr. Brenda Wristen from 2004-2005. David had also taken master's classes during his high school period with Dr. James Johnson. During David's undergraduate career at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio his primary piano instructor was Dr. Sean Schulze from 2005-2008 and he had studied composition with Dr. Monica Houghton from 2008-2009. While at the institute in Ohio the professors whom he had studied with for keyboard repertory seminars/Master's classes were Dr. Dana Gooley (2005), Dr. Mary Davis (2006), and Dr. Dror Biran (2007/2008). While in graduate school at UNO David had studied piano with Dr. James Johnson. From earning outstanding solo awards in the Elkhorn Music Olympics and Bellevue East Jazz Festivals to consecutive years at 'superior' in the Mid-America Music Association recitals David was a past talent in the NSMO Competitions, OMTA Young Artist Competitions, Independent Music Teacher Playoffs, and more. Some notable achievements David has received were the Provost's Special Academic Scholarship, Max and Jean Elder Endowment, President's Scholarship, Popelka Endowment, Andrew Fund, Paul Parker Scholarship, and was the first prize winner of the 2008 Lyman Piano Composition Competition at Case Western Reserve University for his Etude in A-flat minor from his first publication of compositions titled "Piano Studies Bk. 1". David was a two-time guest performer in the 17th and 18th annual Robert M. Spire Celebration of Keyboard Arts, 2012 Honorable mention (West central division) and 2013-2014 national finalist in the MTNA Composition Competition, a 2012 winner in the NFMC Piano Competition, performer in the 2011 NMTA young artist piano competition, winner of the young artist division in the 2013 NMTA Composition Competition and guest performer at the 2013 winners recital In David's time in Ohio, he staged numerous volunteer concerts for the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Case Medical Center, Rainbow Babies Hospital, and Taussig Cancer Research Center. Requested by popular demand and growing fans, David's relaxing music was invited to the Occupational Therapy floor of the newest branch of the Cleveland Clinic where he gained an outside interest in Music Therapy. Aside from piano, David also plays a wide variety of percussion instruments. He played the Xylophone, Marimba, and assorted percussion with the Millard North High School marching band, Wind Ensemble, and Case Western Symphonic ensembles. David performed in Jazz bands not only at Millard North, but at Case Western Reserve, and in numerous private ensembles, groups, and events in Ohio such as the Case Symphonic Winds, Case Western Jazz Ensemble 2, C.W.R.U. Performing arts, C.W.R.U. Keyboard Repertory Seminars, multiple exclusive concerts, benefit concerts, private performances, guest performances, competitions, collaborations, and more . David has even performed and recorded with multiple World Music ensembles playing such instruments as the Indian Harmonium, African Djembe Drums, and Chinese Erhu. Outside music, David is fascinated with technological innovations, medical and bio-medical discoveries, biking, exercising, sports, motorcycles, movies, science fiction, culinary pleasures, writing non-fiction, video gaming, comedy, traveling, philosophy, and expanding the mind.
David graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Chemistry from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University in 2010, and his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2013 at the age of 26.
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are taught in a relaxed, supportive, accommodating environment. Most lessons begin with Scales/Hanon/Czerny/Arpeggios and assorted warm-up activities. The bulk is directed at a re-cap of the previous lesson, hands-on training, in-depth analysis of playing style and technique, review of old with teaching of new material/concepts, formulation of goals for next lesson and future, summary of goals, and planning. For first-time lessons, the teacher should be contacted about what to bring prior.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: Couch for parents, piano, CD system if necessary, computers, theory exercises on PC, recording software, amplifier, books, etc.
*** Travel Equipment ***
(me) Metronome, teaching materials, pencils, staff paper, books, etc. (students) pencil, staff paper, lesson books, lesson planner, previous lesson's materials.
*** Specialties ***
Classical Piano, Composing
Instructor details
Location:
Teacher's Studio
spring circle
Student's Home
Teaching Hours
Monday
12 PM-7 PM
Tuesday
12 PM-7 PM
Wednesday
1 PM-7 PM
Thursday
12 PM-7 PM
Friday
12 PM-7 PM
Saturday
12 PM-3 PM
6 PM-7 PM
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
60 minutes
$35
120 minutes
$80
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Experience
Piano Instructor
May, 2014 - PresentArts for All
I teach beginner to advanced-intermediate group classes in Piano outside of private teaching for the non-profit Arts for All here in Omaha, NE. I have some outstanding young students whose talents I have had the pleasure of seeing blossom. Arts for All has end of the year recitals for students to showcase their favorite works.
Education
Bachelor's of Music (Piano Performance + Chemistry)
Aug, 2005 - Jan, 2010The Cleveland Institute of Music/Case Western Reserve University
Master's of Music (Piano performance)
Jan, 2011 - Dec, 2013University of Nebraska at Omaha
David's Gallery
Instructor details
Location:
Teacher's Studio
spring circle
Student's Home
Teaching Hours
Monday
12 PM-7 PM
Tuesday
12 PM-7 PM
Wednesday
1 PM-7 PM
Thursday
12 PM-7 PM
Friday
12 PM-7 PM
Saturday
12 PM-3 PM
6 PM-7 PM
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
60 minutes
$35
120 minutes
$80
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