Valley Farms Music Lessons

*** Lesson Details ***
My approach to teaching is to customize lessons to meet the needs of individual learners and to make learning fun: It is always okay to make mistakes as long as you are willing to do the work to overcome them. I will be there every step of the way to help you meet your musical goals.
The curriculum used will depend on your current level of playing and the particular style of music you are interested in. From that point, I can provide you with basic theory, techniques, and self-selected pieces to guide you towards your personal goal.
It is my hope that our lessons will develop into a lifelong teacher/student relationship: There is nothing that brings me such joy as seeing my students move forward and develop their own independence as a musician.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have my own violin; students must have their own instrument. Violin students that have a piano in their home is preferred but not required.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in working with beginning students to develop basic techniques and notation skills.

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)

They learn physically how to play a particular instrument while learning music as its own language. Students learn how to learn, learn self-discipline, and access their musical expression, all potential life changing experiences. I am happy and excited to announce I am available for on-line lessons, and will now be able to work with students from all over the world, regardless of distance or location!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am laid back, but at the same time very goal directed. I like to do technique and/or vocabulary, note reading, and songs every lesson. After six months students are able to to 'jam', (improvise over chord changes such as the blues). They are well on their way to becoming literate, probably a third way through the first book. They probably can play a half dozen songs well, and are starting to strum (comp) chord progressions in a musically rhythmic way. They may even have played in a couple concerts by then.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Office studio w/ guitar, bass, amps, and seating for parents, computer with skype capability.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring my guitar and writing tools, extra picks, extra paper etc. Students provide their own instrument, method book, staff paper, notebook paper. Hopefully they have a music stand and their own guitar picks and other items relevant for the study of their instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, theory/composition, improvisation

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