La Crosse, FL Piano Lessons

ic games with them to help them memorize notes on the staff and rhythms. I also try to find out what music they like, and find music or write music that they would enjoy learning to play.

When I was in high school I decided I wanted to major in music at college and began working toward that goal. I won a piano accompaniment scholarship at Northeast Missouri State University ( now called Truman State University), and there I majored in music education. Piano was my main instrument, and flute was my secondary instrument. I played my flute in marching and concert band, accompanied many different soloists on the piano as well as our show choir, and sang in the acapella choir. I have been playing and performing ever since! Now I teach a children's choir at my church, play the flute in our church orchestra, and play in the Gainesville Flute choir. I enjoy teaching both the piano and the flute to young and old alike! I would love to share my joy of music with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Our lessons will be a time of fun and creative ways to learn to play the music that you love! Our first lesson we will talk about your goals, and then I will recommend music methods based on those goals.

I tailor the lessons to fit each child or adults individual needs and wants. I use flashcards and play games to help you to learn your music facts, and also use a music theory book to help you learn basic music symbols and notes.

By about 6 months, you will be able to play simple pieces, be able to keep a steady beat, and know the notes on both the bass and treble clefs. At this point, I will recommend some easy solo books based on the music you would most like to play. Or if you have some favorite songs you would like to learn, I will write out the melody with a simple chord accompaniment in the left hand for you to play. You will continue to progress through the piano method levels, and we will continue to add different elements to your lessons, such as learning scales and how to play different styles of music.

I want our lessons to be fun and interesting for you, so I will do my best to help you find the music that you will enjoy playing!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room, piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my students to have their own instrument or piano/full size keyboard. I can get their music books, but would like to be reimbursed for them. I will bring my own metronome/tuner, and if they don't have their own stand, I will bring one with me.

*** Specialties ***
I have used the Bastien method and Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber for Piano. I have used Trevor Wye for teaching flute.

years. Students who have studied with him come from a wide range of backgrounds with different goals. Those who have continued with musical studies in college have consistently placed out of at least the first two semesters of music theory and achieved advanced placement in their chosen fields of study. Those who chose a different path continue to benefit from the education and training they received from taking music lessons.

*** Lesson Details ***
There is no "standard formula" to lessons. Each student has their own unique background, needs, and goals. Lessons tend to be somewhat casual but are structured in such a way as to meet the unique requirements of the student.

To accomplish your goals, there are a few requirements and basic expectations that the student and parent must meet.
The first is practice. Students are expected to practice daily for at least the length of their lesson time. This, above all else, is essential to progress. It is also expected that a parent will attend lessons for students who are too young to drive themselves here. It's important for a parent to guide the student's practice time (particularly for younger students) to ensure that the most is gained from it. This is why I ask that a parent observe lessons.
Each student or parent should bring to each lesson a notebook, pencils (with erasers). The notebook will be used to record notes about each lesson, homework, practice advice, etc. Pencils (not pens...nobody's perfect!) are used by composers to record their creations and performers to mark their music. Both of these essential practices are subject to changing thought and must be open to change. So no ink, please!

Performers: It is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson for beginners. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons and will be a large focus for all non-readers. Lessons are not learned "by ear." A certain amount of theory will be a part of every lesson just as technique and repertoire. Concerning repertoire, it will be selected based on the student's learning needs but also with their input. The main emphasis on performance lessons, however, will be technique and reading. Students should come to the first lesson prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.
Note: Voice students must be at least 16 years of age.

Composers: Just as with performers, it is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons. Many young composers have great ideas but can only hear them in their heads or play them on an instrument. Lessons will allow you to obtain the skills to write them down with greater speed, accuracy, and clarity. More advance students will also include exploring a wider range of harmonic languages, advanced notation, instrumentation, orchestration, and aural skills. Students should come to the first lesson with examples of their work, either written, notated, or recorded in a digital format. They should be prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
• To reschedule a lesson, more than one day notice is required.

• Make up lessons must be scheduled before the next regular lesson.

• A make up lesson cannot be scheduled in place of a regular lesson.

• If, for any reason, two 30-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 30-minute lessons, not one 60 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• If, for any reason, two 45-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 45-minute lessons, not one 90 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• the studio space is also inhabited by two lovely cats. Do consider this when signing up for lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha DGX-650 weighted 88 keys full sized keyboard
area for parents to sit and observe lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Main area is in classical music and media scoring with secondary focus on musical theatre vocal performance and composing/arranging.

each student individually, catering to specific goals and needs that we will decide upon and plan together. Some students want to seriously study a craft. Others want a hobby that will be fun and interesting. I have had success teaching to both, and will impart basic fundamentals and musicianship to all types of students.

I see my primary job as keeping the student inspired, intellectually fed and sprinting in the right direction. The student's job is to do the work. Daily practice is essential to move forward in any craft.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My Brooklyn studio is a dedicated music space with two drum sets, PA, amplifiers and recording capabilities.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide books, a drum pad, sticks or mallets, an iPod with two sets of headphones, and a metronome. Additionally, I can bring small hand drums, special instruments and percussion that might be needed for specialty lessons. I expect students to have some sort of pad or drum to practice on at home; a full drum set is not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Drum set (rock, jazz, R&B, folk, pop, electro, Afro-Cuban)
Snare drum
Timpani
Two- and four-mallets (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone)
Accessory percussion
Frame drums
Traditional samba
Afro-Cuban hand drums
Japanese taiko

hia) and write and record regularly. My songs have been licensed for national/international TV (E!, MTV, PBS, Netflix, and more).

I typically teach my clients either in their own homes (if within 12 miles of me), or online. I can easily accommodate to teach in my own home as well. I have also had background checks completed for the various schools I teach with, and am happy show them to you upon request.