Dena C.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: No
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Guitar, Piano, Singing

Education

Sperry HS - music, theatre - 1975-1979 (High School diploma received)
SUNY Potsdam - music education - 1982-1985 (Bachelor's degree received)
Temple University - music therapy - 1896-1993 (Master's degree received)

Specialties

Musical theatre, Adaptive music lessons (for learning differences).

Lesson Details

Dena approaches lessons with a sense of humor and fun; her ability to be flexible allows her to shape the curriculum according to the student. She uses several of the well respected piano and guitar curricula (Bastien, Mel Bay, John Thompson, Alfred, etc.), tailoring lessons to students specific skills and challenges. Students should expect to play their instrument from the first lesson, building their reading skills, eye hand coordination, playing or singing skills and understanding of music ... theory gradually and confidently.

Subjects:

Piano

Voice

Guitar

Recorder

Music Theory

Musical Theatre repertoire

Studio:

Suburban Philadelphia (Northeast, Montgomery and Bucks County)

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About

Dena is a professional vocalist, teacher and music therapist. With more than 30 years experience as a singer in a variety of styles including jazz, opera, musical theatre and classic rock, Dena brings a wealth of performance experience to her teaching. Her more than 15 years as a music therapist brings a flexible, patient, joyful style to her teaching; helping students express themselves through their music and leaving them looking forward to what comes next. Dena has worked with students of ... all ages and levels of training; she has also developed teaching techniques that have proven effective for students with a variety of disabilities such as Asperger's Syndrome, Down Syndrome and speech delay. Dena will shortly be releasing her first CD of children's songs; energetic and fun original songs that teach and entertain.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Music, State University of New York at Potsdam

Master of Music Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Training

Dena began playing piano at the age of four, she participated regularly in piano guild competitions and performances. She began voice lessons at the age of 13, she has traveled with performance choirs to Germany, Austria and Poland. She was a regular participant in All State Choirs and was chosen to perform for the American Choral Director's Association Choir while in college.

As a performer, Dena has appeared professionally with the Opera Theatre of Rochester and the Gilbert and Sullivan Players. She has performed at jazz clubs and as the lead singer of the classic rock band "No Mules," a popular local group featured at numerous fundraisers, First Night festivals and civic club events. She has played roles in numerous local theatre productions such as "Sweeney Todd," "Kiss Me Kate," "Company," and "Cinderella." She looks forward to opening up performance possibilities to her students and building their skills for a lifetime of musical memories.

As a teacher, Dena has taught for over 25 years; her students have included local DJ's, college students, 'tweens,' young and 'not so young' adults as well as children and adults with learning differences.

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