Piano with Katrina D.

Hello! I am a graduate of Berklee College of Music, with a Bachelor’s degree in Writing and Production as well as a graduate of NYU Steinhardt with a Master's Degree in Music Technology. I have been teaching privately for 15 years, and performing for over 25! I have begun teaching full time as of 2014, because I love teaching so much! I am driven by watching my students build confidence and learn to express themselves through music. My goal is for each student to become more expressive and build a love of music while also learning the theory behind it and performance techniques. My first love is piano, as I began lessons at age 7. I wrote my first song at age 8 and started playing guitar shortly after. I am an accomplished songwriter, arranger, producer, performer, teacher and director. I have directed all ages and group sizes in music as musical theatre director, musical director at church, band leader, and a children's music teacher. I love teaching and excel at finding unique ways to teach music and keep it interesting. I want you to have fun and learn what you find most interesting so we will work together to reach your goals. Along with instrument and vocal lessons, I offer tutoring in all subjects of music and songwriting, and specialize in offering lessons tailored to each student’s needs. I refuse to hand out a book and go from front to back - expect handouts, impromptu lesson material to help you learn any specific concept you may be struggling with, CD’s with study material, exploratory homework, and thinking outside the box! We will do whatever it takes to get you wherever you want to be. *** Lesson Details *** I focus my curriculum on the goals of each student, their needs and their abilities. Everyone is different, so every student should have a different set of goals and a unique curriculum to reach them! I want to offer the most well-rounded education possible, so we will be regularly evaluating your goals and the materials you are using to reach them. I am easy-going and realistic - if you aren't interested in what you are learning then you aren't going to practice. So lets have some fun! I work with every age group and integrate the following into all lessons: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums • coordination • rhythm - sometimes we will use our hands or bodies, or the drums or tambourine • contemporary styles and songs - all my students get to choose their songs from my music library or their own! • ear training - I help students to hear major and minor as well as the different notes of a chord. My singers work with solfege (do re mi) to gain early sight-reading skills • singing together on simple songs - especially for young students to put them at ease and express themselves through music with something they already know (aka Twinkle Twinkle) • scale work - I start my student young with the C scale and progress as each student can handle • music theory - you won't even know you are learning it! My extensive training in this area allows me to find simple ways to teach these skills • Performance technique: my voice students get to sing with a microphone and PA system to their favorite karaoke tunes and learn performance aspects. I also work with piano, guitar, and drums on performance skills. • SONGWRITING: optional. I like to spend a class time every several sessions to help my creative students write their own song from start to finish! We can even record it if you like! I work with several instruments in order to help my students get the most well-rounded music education they can until they choose a specific direction of their own (such as classical piano or acoustic guitar). If you would like to focus only on one area, that is never a problem! I simply offer a variety of music lessons so that I can tailor the lesson to each student's goals. I will work with you to create a lesson plan. Recitals are offered each Summer and Winter. *** Studio Equipment *** Studio: KORG weighted 88 key keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar and amp, PA system for performance in vocals, microphones. Parents may sit in on lessons or wait nearby. There is a library across the street, as well as a Dunkin Donuts. For recording and production lessons, I use industry standards such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Sonic. I give out weekly handouts and tailored homework assignments in most subjects. I can purchase books for students, or they can acquire the recommended books on their own. *** Specialties *** Young children music and piano 4 years and up; Piano; Voice - beginner and advanced; Musicality: can't decide what to study? I can work with you in a variety of areas including rhythm, percussion, songwriting, piano, guitar, singing, improvising, etc.