Micanopy, FL Piano Lessons

ls with famous stars and some really great bands which will help me answer many of your questions. I am currently still working, teaching and recording all the time. I also have a professional recording studio in my home which you can take full advantage of.

*** Lesson Details ***
I want you to have fun learning and can help you with understanding and memorizing your songs.
I focus on sight-reading, ear training (like jamming and playing blues) and theory. You get to choose the areas you would like to learn.
Once we have established the basics including melody and chords, we will pick songs you want to learn to play with your friends or just by yourself. We can use music books or go on YouTube to learn your songs.
I have helped students with auditions as well as performances. After only a few lessons you will hear and see things differently than ever before.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio comes complete with acoustic and electric keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass and amps to play through, as well as professional microphones for recording. I use ProTools for recording which is used in every major studio around the world and it's loaded with great software for demos or mastering songs.

*** Specialties ***
I teach beginner, intermediate and advanced students.
I teach all styles of music including Classical, Jazz, and Rock/Pop/Blues.
I also teach songwriting, performing and recording in my ProTools studio.

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.

I offer tutoring in all subjects of music and songwriting, and specialize in offering lessons tailored to each student’s needs. I refuse to hand out a book and go from front to back - expect handouts, impromptu lesson material to help you learn any specific concept you may be struggling with, CD’s with study material, exploratory homework, and thinking outside the box! We will do whatever it takes to get you wherever you want to be.

*** Lesson Details ***
I focus my curriculum on the goals of each student, their needs and their abilities. Everyone is different, so every student should have a different set of goals and a unique curriculum to reach them! I want to offer the most well-rounded education possible, so we will be regularly evaluating your goals and the materials you are using to reach them. I am easy-going and realistic - if you aren't interested in what you are learning then you aren't going to practice. So lets have some fun!

I work with every age group and integrate the following into all lessons: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums

• coordination
• rhythm - sometimes we will use our hands or bodies, or the drums or tambourine
• contemporary styles and songs - all my students get to choose their songs from my music library or their own!
• ear training - I help students to hear major and minor as well as the different notes of a chord. My singers work with solfege (do re mi) to gain early sight-reading skills
• singing together on simple songs - especially for young students to put them at ease and express themselves through music with something they already know (aka Twinkle Twinkle)
• scale work - I start my student young with the C scale and progress as each student can handle
• music theory - you won't even know you are learning it! My extensive training in this area allows me to find simple ways to teach these skills
• Performance technique: my voice students get to sing with a microphone and PA system to their favorite karaoke tunes and learn performance aspects. I also work with piano, guitar, and drums on performance skills.
• SONGWRITING: optional. I like to spend a class time every several sessions to help my creative students write their own song from start to finish! We can even record it if you like!

I work with several instruments in order to help my students get the most well-rounded music education they can until they choose a specific direction of their own (such as classical piano or acoustic guitar).

If you would like to focus only on one area, that is never a problem! I simply offer a variety of music lessons so that I can tailor the lesson to each student's goals. I will work with you to create a lesson plan.

Recitals are offered each Summer and Winter.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio: KORG weighted 88 key keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar and amp, PA system for performance in vocals, microphones. Parents may sit in on lessons or wait nearby. There is a library across the street, as well as a Dunkin Donuts.

For recording and production lessons, I use industry standards such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Sonic. I give out weekly handouts and tailored homework assignments in most subjects. I can purchase books for students, or they can acquire the recommended books on their own.

*** Specialties ***
Young children music and piano 4 years and up; Piano; Voice - beginner and advanced; Musicality: can't decide what to study? I can work with you in a variety of areas including rhythm, percussion, songwriting, piano, guitar, singing, improvising, etc.

What are your personal goals? We'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

Lessons with small children are more focused on just having fun while developing a good musical foundation, but we prefer for them to have as much personal ownership of their lesson as possible.

ts the same lessons and experiences that have influenced me throughout my journey.

ts. I welcome all ages including adult beginners. Bilingual lessons offered

fun, so the learning is reinforced with good natured thoughts. This will set up the student to actually want to practice!

As a musician I've been in a couple of groups, and starting to get a jazz group together recently. I also try to utilize the computer to produce when possible so I can learn about that aspect of music. My passion is improvisation/composition, because I hope to one day leave songs behind that people can play forever and be influenced by them like so many have influenced me.

pectful. Do you have what it takes to be the next student of Valerie? :) Feel free to message me with any questions and I will respond asap!