Ruben R.

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: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Piano, Music Performance, Music Theory

Education

UMass Boston - Chinese, French - 2006-2010 (Bachelor's degree received)
Florida International University - Piano Performance - 2003-2005 Miami-Dade College - ESL, Music - 2002 (Associate degree received)

Specialties

styles: Christian contemporary music; Latin rhythms, and classical piano training
Piano School: Russian School of Piano
Methods: The Russian School of Piano Playing; John Thompson's, Alfred, James Bastien

Lesson Details

My teaching philosophy is summarized into two main components: classical training and playing by ear. The first component comprises all aspects of traditional piano training, including technique (practice drills, scales, arpeggios, etc.), relaxation of the body, sight-reading, and correct listening. This component is basic for a successful and skillful interpretation of any kind of music, be it jazz, contemporary, gospel, folk, salsa, or classical. The second component, playing by ear, refers ... to the learning of a set of simple skills that will enable the student to play his/her favorite songs by singing and accompanying his/herself. Without getting too technical, this second aspect includes learning chord progressions, improvisation, and singing, among others.
I firmly believe that in today's world, students and artists need to be able to tackle a variety of styles and adjust to the public’s demands. Thus, students need access to a comprehensive, well-balanced education. Without forsaking a good technical foundation, music teaching should be practical and focused on enabling the student to perform in the shortest amount of time possible. My teaching style seeks to keep a balance between these two aspects of musical education and strives to equip the student for any musical opportunity. Provided that the student is steadfast in his practice and learning at home –with the support and help of their parents, he/she will be able to perform popular music as well as classics in only a few months.

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About

Music has always been a matter of energy for me. My mother is a singer and a choir director; my father is a wind symphony conductor and plays the flute and the guitar; my oldest brother is a symphony orchestra conductor; my oldest sister is a violinist and a bassist; my other older sister is a singer; my second older brother is a pianist; and then there is me, a piano teacher. You could say I was born into a musical family! As the youngest of five, most of my musical influences came from my ... parents and siblings. I began my musical training at age two when I took up the recorder for the first time. When I was 5, it seemed well to my father to change my instrument and teach me piano. Since the piano looked more interesting than the recorder, I quickly quit the latter and began my journey with this new, exciting instrument. When I was mature enough (at 10 or so), my father decided that I was ready to help him teach music in our home academy. Thus, from an early age I initiated my inroads into the world of teaching. Years later, as I became older and more conscious of my desire to make a living off of music, I began to have my own private students. The ample range of ages of my students, along with my previous teaching experience, made me very sensitive to my pupils’ needs. I learned how to adapt my teaching style to their goals and to know how to guide them by getting the utmost out of their personalities and talents.
When I immigrated to the United States, I continued my professional piano education entering the piano department at Florida International University (FIU). During my time in Florida, I had the opportunity to take lessons with two phenomenal teachers, the late Miguel Salvador, a student of one of the greatest pianist of the XX century, Jorge Bolet, and Jorge Emilio Piz, who studied at the world renowned Moscow Conservatory of Music. Jorge Emilio introduced me to the Russian School of Piano playing, which later became the foundation of my teaching. In my opinion, although modern pianism and technology have obscured the differences among piano schools, the Russian tradition places the utmost emphasis on the quality and richness of sound. To achieve the most beautiful – and most natural –sound at the piano, I stress the importance of the relaxation of the body as well as precise listening. My students will be expected to receive this specific training, one that emphasizes the beauty of sound and the relaxation of the body.
In addition to teaching, I also have a vast experience as an accompanist. I have collaborated with a large number of instrumentalists and singers. In Miami, FL I worked as an accompanist for such institutions as Florida International University, Miami-Dade College, New World School of the Arts, and Miami University where I accompanied choirs, voice students, instrumentalists, Broadway musicals, and operettas. Furthermore, as a freelance pianist and accompanist, I worked with several voice instructors and I performed as church pianist of several communities.
After an injury cut short my aspirations of performing as a concert pianist, I decided to devote my life to the teaching. Now in Boston, I continue on my tradition of introducing students of all ages to the wonderful art of piano playing and instill in them a foundation and passion for music.

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