Maricopa Music Lessons

Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Marty moved to the Phoenix, AZ area eight years ago. Marty has over 20 years of performing and teaching experience. She studied for three years at the School of Music, University of Colorado, Boulder. She has studied in the Masters program in vocal pedagogy and has performed in a variety of venues from blues to opera.

You will find her pedagogy technique to be respectful of the masters that have come before her. She is also open to new techniques from belting (in popular music), to microphone usage skills. As a student, you will be invited to perform in student recitals. You will be joining a team of dedicated, passionate performers who know the pleasure of performing.

As a beginning and intermediate piano instructor, Marty will guide you in the basics of sight reading. If you prefer, your piano classes will consist primarily of improvisation and chord progressions (you will also learn a little bit of sight reading which will help you 'flesh out' the melody). You will gain a solid foundation in music theory as well as an introduction into the vast world of music history. All age ranges are welcome, from the beginning elementary student, to the retiree just now finding the time to pursue their passion to perform.

I have authored a variety of music theory articles to assist you with your progress. We use these in the lessons to speed up your assimilation of the material. You will receive support via this literature and will quickly recognize how music theory supports your efforts with either singing or playing the piano.

*** Lesson Details ***
Your voice is unique to you. How you currently sing and what you want to sing will be the foundation from which we work. We will explore your voice and strengthen it via breath and physical exercises and practice with a repertoire that suits your individual tastes. We will also prepare your mind for quick and fluid articulation of your musical sensitivities.

Music theory and various musical explorations will assist you in moving forward in the most rapid manner possible. Whether you are twelve years old or sixty-five, you will find fun as well as perceptive methods for strengthening your passion for musical performance.

Since your body is your instrument, I am very conscious of the need to assist you in waking your body up in order to perform most successfully. The warm-up exercises include not only traditional vocalizes, but also methods for stretching your body and strengthening your diaphragmatic breathing. My students become very aware of any residual tension in their bodies. Singing is a wonderful way to get in touch with - and expel - any way in which you might 'close down' or 'tense down' your physical body. By working with a caring professional, you will learn how to freely share your unique talent with the world.

As we progress through the series of classes, you will use breathing exercises to activate the thoracic (throat & chest) and visceral (stomach) cavities. Your lessons will continue into specific vocalization exercises; such as singing scales, triads and specific exercises to assist you with fluid musical expression. Traditional ear training will also be a part of the lessons for intermediate students.

Many of the lessons I teach include a theme of working on confidence, vocal projection, breath support, finding and releasing tension, vocal range expansion, audition preparation and stage performance. All singing includes a core of story-telling. You will be encouraged to 'deconstruct' a song and discover the story, along with the emotions that are found in the lyrics of the songs you will sing.

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In a similar fashion, my piano students will work on exercises to establish kinesthetic learning or muscle-memory. I have a unique method for sharing chord-progressions and piano improvisation. You will learn to quickly share music in a satisfying and pleasing manner that will surprise you and the people who hear your music. From your unique 'ear,' and via your new-found understanding of music theory, music will pour out of your piano.

As a piano student, you will also be exposed to lessons of the masters who have taught for hundreds of years. Sight-reading at the piano is a very enjoyable skill. It is also a foundation from which we will work (while taking in mind your particular interests). Again, whether a pre-teen or a senior citizen (or anyone in between!) who has finally found the time to explore their musical talent - you will find classes uniquely suited to your musical trajectory.

Your lessons will proceed as you acquire the ability to successfully perform your exercises and musical literature. Playing the piano fluidly and sharing your abilities with others is an amazing experience! It is my intent to ensure that your progress is swift, enjoyable and based on the work of the masters who have come before us! See you soon... Cordially, Marty W.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, metronome, microphone and amp. I can provide supplemental piano music; in some cases, students will need to purchase their own music. I also have an area where parents can wait for lessons to end. We also have a market or restaurant close-by as well.

*** Travel Equipment ***
When traveling to student's homes - they need to have a piano. In some cases, students also need to buy their own voice or piano books. In the event that a vocal student prefers in-home lessons and does not have a piano, I can bring an electric piano to the lessons (let's talk!).

*** Specialties ***
Barbara Doscher method of Opera Voice and Singing
Have experience with conducting choral music
Piano - beginner and intermediate sight reading
Piano - chord progression and music theory (some songwriting)

I do expect students to practice consistently, I always do my best to tailor the lesson plans to their wants as well as their needs so practice is both fun and challenging. For students pursuing classical music, I'll typically start them in a book and reading sheet music, but for just about anything else, the lesson plans will be more customized to the taste of my students and will not require music reading ability in most cases. After the first few months, my students can expect to have a solid understanding of music, their instrument, and what steps to take to reach their long term goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio includes a full drum set, electric piano, as well as several guitars and a bass guitar. I would prefer that the student brings his or her own guitar or bass. I always have spare books and music in case the student forgets to bring their own.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I travel with my own guitar and bass guitar, but for piano and drum lessons, the student will need their own instrument and a quiet area to get the most from the lessons.

*** Specialties ***
While I have a degree in classical guitar, I have several years of experience with blues and classic rock, specifically on the electric guitar and drums. Aside from those, I enjoy all genres of music and have plenty of musical experience outside of the aforementioned genres.

performed as piano soloist in various settings, and piano accompanist for choirs, singers and instrumentalists in church, contest and concerts.

Recently, I earned my Doctorate in Music from Arizona State University.

My studio is where I share my expertise and passion for music with private voice and piano students. My approach is that music should be fun and satisfying. I want students to have the enjoyment of accomplishing great things, and build on their natural abilities and love of music. I look forward to meeting you, and seeing where your musical talents can take you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Each voice lesson begins with a warm up: movement:, stretches, breathing, and relaxation while focusing on good posture. Following that we continue warming up the voice with appropriate vocal exercises. If desired, we can spend time sight singing (reading music). Then we will turn to your chosen piece(s) of music. You could bring in a song or aria of your interest, or I could suggest pieces that I feel suit your voice. Some areas that I like to focus on in are relaxation, posture, breathing, support, use of registers, placement, growing your voice in size and range, intonation (pitch), tone color, clarity and consistency. My ultimate goal is to help students sing with musicality and expressiveness.

For piano, we may begin by working on things like hand position, posture, relaxation of the body and then exercises, including scales and chords. We may also incorporate music theory.
After a warm-up, we will focus on chosen music. I like to use music literature that is appropriate to the student's level, which gives enjoyment, and also increases breadth of knowledge and expertise. For beginning students, there are many good series available that I like to use, such as Bastian or Alfred.

Its very important that students feel comfortable in their lessons. I am sensitive, flexible and open to individual likes and dislikes, and any thoughts or concerns you have. These are your lessons and I am committed to helping you get the most out of them!

*** Studio Equipment ***
lessons in large living room with upright piano, mirrors; space for parents to sit/wait; repertoire

*** Specialties ***
Opera, classical, musical theater

opovich, Lang Lang, Yundi Li, and Josep Carreras among others. Kan earned Bachelor’s Degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China, where she studied with Professor Ding Zhi Nuo. Currently, she is the concertmaster of Azusa Pacific University Orchestra, and a student of Artist Certificate Programme under Professor Charles Stegeman on full scholarship.

She received her bachelor's degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Professor Ding Zhi Nuo. To further pursue her music career, Kan came to study in the United States on full scholarship at Azusa Pacific University, where she received the Artist Certificate Program Diploma in 2010. Meanwhile, she served as concertmaster for the Azusa Pacific University Symphony Orchestra. Kan studied under professor Charles Stegeman, and recently obtained her Music Performance masters.

*** Lesson Details ***
First, I need to talk to my students about their goals. Not only for the adult, teacher also need to know what kids want to know about music. They are interested in it sometimes, they just don't know. Second, I will let them know, interests is just the first step. If you want to learn, you have to pay! Pay your patient, and your endeavor. I will teach in some specific ways to motive students to approach the goals. for example: listen, singing, playing, reading is the process to make the students catch the goal faster without lost their interests! So involve more activities in the lessons is very important! Also, serious technique practice is necessary. As I mentioned before, not only interests, if you want to learn , you have to pay. Once you catch your goal, you will feel happy that the teacher has been pushed you for some boring finger exercise.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I do have a grand piano at home.For violin students, they should have their own instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki style, classical, contemporary, modern music

ut what motivates and inspires them, and helping each one accomplish his or her personal goals. Lessons with me focus on technical precision while also developing listening skills, focus, sensitivity, and appreciation for refinement and beauty.