Sarah B.

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

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• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

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

Subjects Taught

Piano, Music Theory, Songwriting

Education

Point Loma Nazarene University - Piano performance and music education - August 2007-May 2011

Specialties

I specialize mainly in a classical approach to music that focuses on note-reading. I use many of the traditional method books (Bastien, Alfred, etc.) and start teaching 5-finger patterns and scales early on. I like to supplement as early as I can with music outside of the method books, both to get early exposure to classical composers as well as to allow the student to work on music of his/her own choosing and for his/her own enjoyment. I assign theory homework almost every lesson, and also ... incorporate ear-training and improvisation whenever we have time in the lesson.

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Lesson Details

I have three main foundational objectives in the lessons I offer, first and foremost of which is for the student to gain an appreciation for a diversity of music and a love of music-making. It is my greatest desire to that music becomes as much of a joy for my students as it is for me! The other two important objectives in my lessons are for the student to gain an overall healthy technique that allows the him/her to play with ease and to gain proficiency in note-reading, rhythm, music theory, ... and critical listening. My approach is primarily classically-oriented; however, I also encourage students to develop their skills at some level in improvising and playing by ear by various exercises I may conduct during the lesson.
For my young beginning students, I follow curricula such as Alfred Premier and (for very young beginners) Bastien Piano Party. Typically, four different books are part of these curricula: the lesson book, the technique book, the theory book, and the performance book. The lesson and technique books are required, but I strongly encourage all four to be purchased as they give more reinforcement to new concepts and allow the student to advance to a higher level of proficiency at each stage. I also encourage students to choose solo pieces in styles of music they are interested in at least twice a year.
For adult beginners and intermediate students, I do not have a set plan but choose to collaborate with the student on what his/her goals are in taking piano lessons and what kind of repertoire he/she is interested in playing. This can span from serious students who want to play Bach and register for such challenges as Certificate of Merit to students who want to play pop charts and Yiruma for their personal enrichment. I think either route is excellent and always seek to follow a student-oriented approach!

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About

If I had to choose one singular goal in life, it would be to help others experience the same joy and well-being through music that I have! I believe music is one of the purest expressions of emotion and greatly enriches the lives of whoever it touches.
I began my own musical journey when I began piano lessons at the age of seven. I loved playing and even began composing a few of my own tunes as soon as I knew how to read the notes on the staff. By the time I graduated high school, I already ... had a paying position as a pianist at Redeemer by the sea Lutheran Church and knew that music was what I wanted to do as a career. I attended Point Loma Nazarene University, graduating in 2011 with a double major in piano performance and music education. Although classical piano was my primary focus throughout college, I also extensively studied music theory, composition, pedagogy, and taught myself improvisation. I had many opportunities to accompany for choirs, vocal soloists, and instrumental soloists, as well as debut a few new pieces of music by the composition majors at the university.
I first began teaching private piano lessons under the direction of Dr. Victor Labenske in 2008 and was hired on as a piano teacher for Certificate of Merit students at La Costa Music Studios in Carlsbad in 2010. In the summer of 2011, I even had the opportunity to teach music in Africa, teaching elementary music classes at the Human Factor Leadership Academy in Ghana and teaching private piano lessons and tutoring music theory in Uganda.
Currently, I am a member of the Music Teachers Association of California and the Music Teachers National Association and continue to teach students at all ages and levels both through La Costa and through my own private studio based out of Point Loma Nazarene University. In addition to teaching, I still actively play and compose piano music. I currently hold a position as a pianist at Ocean View Church, where I have the fantastic opportunity to play a wide variety of music for services and concerts with the choir, orchestra, jazz band, and contemporary worship band. I also am continuing her personal music studies, having recently started jazz piano lessons with Rick Helzer from San Diego State University.

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