Piano Lessons in Hawarden Hills. Amazing Teachers.

Looking to start you musical journey but not sure how? Piano is a great place to start! Learn how to read music in bass & treble clef, rhythms, time signatures, key signatures, music theory, chord structure & inversions!

I have been teaching the wonderful instrument of the piano for more than seven years.

I utilize the Faber Piano Adventures piano series of lesson books that includes lessons and homework in a fun and engaging way to promote retention. I also use the publication A New Approach to Keyboard Harmony to learn chord progressions, sequences, modulations, realization of both figured and un-figured basses, basic improvisation, and score reading. Learning these techniques will help transition students seamlessly to various styles and genres that incorporate the piano, helping you learn and love the piano without frustrating stoppages that often lead us away from lesson continuity.

From there, for intermediate and advance students I use the Hanon Piano Exercises Book to promote correct and precise fingering, syncopation, arpeggiation, pedaling, and key centering.

Levels Taught: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

The basic approach provides a series of exercises and music from simple to the more sophisticated, along with hints and tips for their completion.

I have been teaching music to students of all ages for 17 years and I absolutely love it! I am a fun loving teacher who has high expectations of my students. I have a bachelor (UM) and Master (CMU) degree in music. I am a school band director as my full-time career. I am able to teach all of the brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, including piano, to varying degrees. You will receive a multi-faceted lesson with me including music theory, music history, new techniques, musicianship skills, performance skills, and much more. I look forward to this chance to work with you!

I want to get as much musical information about you as possible. We would speak about long term/short term goals, past experiences, and, if capable, I would listen to how you play your instrument. It is very important to best know how I can fit in your musical journey. I work with each student differently and will ultimately come up with a method that best works for you.

I can help you play by ear, as well as read music. Really, they both help each other out.

Typically lessons start with a warm-up or exercise, which usually relates to a concept in the songs or pieces we study in the lesson. Lessons can vary based on student goals and approach. For example, an advanced classical lesson might target specific spots in larger pieces, while a jazz/pop lesson might deal with hand positioning for chords and ear training. In a beginning lesson, we focus on either finding patterns on the piano that are used in most chord progressions or melodies, or music literacy, depending on the student's preference.