Lanesville, IN Piano Lessons

ced students who'd like fine tuning. The vast majority of my students have been beginners. I'm relaxed and laid back while encouraging you to reach your potential. Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned expert in need of some fine tuning, I'll carefully evaluate your strengths and weakness and create a lesson plan suited to your individual learning style, interests and needs. We'll discuss where you'd like to go with music, and I'll help you get there! After 3 or 6 months with me, you'll learn the musical foundations of rhythm, ear training, posture, technique, music theory and performance, and a few of your favorite songs!

ents accompanied by backtracks. Playing popular music has expanded my knowledge and experience. Of course classical will always have a place! It is beautiful and timeless! But playing current music is also a lot of fun, and appeals to the modern student. There's room for all kinds of music and I embrace it all!

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm not a really strict teacher but I do encourage my students to push themselves and really make the most of their practice time, especially if they have busy schedules. I believe in customizing my teaching style to my student's needs and desires. I'm very positive and encouraging while never sacrificing constructive feedback.

***What to Expect***
After 3 months with a beginning Viola, Violin, or Piano student, I expect you to be able to read the notes (without having to write them all in), understand basic rhythms, have learned how to play a scale (or more), and have completed a few of songs.

After 6 months, I expect that my students will have relative ease with reading their music, playing with hands together on piano, and starting to master basic bowing techniques and coordination on Violin and Viola.

Learning an instrument is difficult, but so rewarding. With the right teacher it can be a wonderful experience, and that's my goal. I want music to be enjoyable, interesting, fun and enriching for my students. My style is encouraging, positive, and thoughtful... I try to teach in a way that is comprehensive and wholistic!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room, grand piano and an electric piano, room for parents to wait on a couch or chair, music stand, metronome

***What you should bring***
Sheet Music/Books
Rosin (for violin/viola students)

*** Specialties ***
I mainly focus on classical training, however I customize the teaching repertoire to incorporate my student's music tastes and interest. As I teach, I incorporate music theory so that my students may have a better understanding of how the music is structured because my goal is that they understand music from a wholistic perspective so that it can be enjoyed for a lifetime!

***Studio Policies***
I am flexible and easy to work with, however I am running a full private lesson studio and time is limited! I do require a 24-hour cancellation notice if you are unable to attend a lesson - as it does allow me to use that time to reschedule another student or optimize my time. If notice is given the day of your lesson, the lesson will be marked as "missed." With a day's notice, I will "cancel" the lesson and your lesson credit will not be used. You are welcome to reschedule your lesson to another available time during the week, however, the 24-hour notice still applies. I don't want to be unfair to you and I just ask the same of my students :)

Keep in mind, regular lessons really do make a difference in students' progress and enthusiasm, so I encourage you to keep a regular lesson schedule if possible!

into all aspects of life. It's so wonderful watching a kid (or an adult!) gradually come out of their shells during the process.

During the first lesson, I sit down with the student and talk to them about their dreams and goals. That way, I can build a curriculum that perfectly fits their needs. We can learn anything their heart desires-from classical Beethoven to writing their own music! For basic piano I love to use the "Bastien" and "Alfred" basic collections because they are what I grew up on.

Can't wait to meet you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
In my studio I have a weighted keyboard, mic, amp, mirror and video for recording performances.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Mic, amp and video recorder are portable. Student must provide piano for in home visits. And plus, you'll need one to practice!

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in beginner classical piano and improvisation, beginner-advanced voice, theory, performance and songwriting of all styles.

the distinguished Anne Adams Awards Harp Competition where she has been a main Director for fifteen years. She has served as the President of the Orange County Harp Society Chapter as well as a board member of the Bay Area Harp Society Chapter.

Alexandra received her Bachelor's Degree from DePauw University, majoring in Music and Anthropology. She also completed premedical studies at DePauw after spending her Junior year studying harp at the University of Oregon. She received her Master's Degree from Roosevelt University in Orchestral Studies, and did post graduate work at the University of Southern California in Harp Performance and Anthropology.

Alexandra's harp teachers have included: Sarah Bullen, Sally Maxwell, Edward Druzinsky, JoAnn Turovsky, Harriet Thompson Moore, Kara Bershad, Faye Seeman, Joy Andreasen, and Neva Lydiard. She has also had many mentors who have guided her life and career including: Kathleen Bride, Victor Salvi, Sally Maxwell, Patricia Masri- Fletcher, Robin Gordon- Cartier, Carrie Kourkoumelis, Dr. Craig Pare, and Karen Thielen.

Alexandra has performed in many master classes given by such internationally known harpists as Skaila Kanga, Jana Bouskova, Marie Pierre Langlamet, and Bryn Lewis. She has also organized many masterclasses and events featuring: Kathleen Bride, Sarah Bullen, Gwyneth Wentink, Patricia Masri - Fletcher, Louise Vickerman, Sivan Magen, Sasha Boldachev, Ina Zdorovetchi, Angel Padilla Crespo, Elzbieta Szmytt, Susan Allen, Gayle Levant, Stella Castelucci, Robin Gordon Cartier, Emmanuel Ceysson, Yolanda Kondonasis, and Kim Robertson.
 
Alexandra has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe as a soloist, with small ensembles, and as an orchestral harpist. She has appeared in several television shows such as General Hospital. Her playing,"Is filled with care, artistry, and mature interpretation. She is a talented musician, well rounded in her knowledge of music, and has a healthy curiosity in areas beyond music." (Donald Chen, conductor) "Everything I heard was sensitive, artistic, and had beautiful intonation." (Richard Ferrin, violist emeritus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra).

In addition to playing, Alexandra has also served as the Ambassador for Salvi Harps in North America for the past eleven years. She has given numerous masterclasses and workshops in addition to performing at National Harp Conferences and National and Regional music showcases. In her role as National Sales Manager, she helped harpists from all over the world find their dream harps, learn to care for them, and has mentored them along the way.

Apart from harp activities, Alexandra also enjoys teaching middle school, teaching piano, coaching rowing, participation in sports activities, and writing articles for various journals including: The American Harp Journal, Chicago Health Magazine, and Atlanta Health Magazine. She also enjoys being a board member on the DePauw University Alumni Board and she enjoys working on music startup companies.

*** Lesson Details ***

As a HARP teacher, all of my
students play scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises in
their lessons. I believe having a strong technical base is the foundation for
every part of playing and you can't learn without it. I will set the repertoire
for students according to their technical progress and although I may
take into consideration a student's desires to learn a certain piece, there has
to be time and they have to be ready for it. I have both short term and long
term goals for each student that involve theory, technical ability, and
repertoire: fun, orchestral and solo. Adult students still have to learn
technique, it makes things much more fun and easy six months later, I promise! Beginning students will learn how to read notes, understand basic theory, and technique in a short amount of time, so don't be scared if you have never had a music lesson before. 

I require all students make
at least half an hour a day commitment to practice. I teach mostly the Grandjany method of harp technique, however, I also use Salzedo and Renie methods
at times to fit a particular students' build and unique physical attributes as well as what the piece requires. I
have studied all techniques throughout my education and I find them all
beneficial for different reasons. I do, however, believe everyone is built
differently and the technique should help the harpist play and not hinder them
from achieving their goals. Everyone learns at a different speed, but as a
brand new musician, after six months practicing regularly, you should be able
to read music fluently, understand basic theory concepts, be able to play with
both hands and four fingers on each hand, play all of the basic scales and
arpeggios musically and be able to play at least one piece memorized.
Curriculum is based on the student's technical ability and issues and is
individually created – if you learn slower than someone else, don’t worry about
your pace. In the end, lessons are about you personally and not someone else.

As a PIANO teacher, I want students to learn about music and not just the piano. Students will learn basic music theory and basic scales as a part of their lessons. They will also occasionally choose a song of their choosing to work on chords. I do promote note reading and theory, so I am not the right teacher for students who don't want to invest time in learning the basics. These basics are the building blocks of all music and can be used for any instrument the student chooses to learn in the future.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have harps and a piano at my studio, so you do not need to bring your harp to lessons. If you don't own a harp, you can rent one for around $45/month from several sources. 

*** Specialties ***
HARP - Grandjany Technique with an incorporation of Salzedo and French school depending on the player's body type and technical difficulties. I make use of the ABRSM as well as local, national, and international competitions depending on the student's level of commitment.

PIANO - I teach basic piano for fun through an Intermediate level. Although some students choose to take CM and ABRSM exams, I do not push them. I want students to enjoy piano and music lessons.

and New York. I was an recipient of the outstanding student presentation award at the CMS Great Lakes Regional Conference, 2014.

ly started teaching and would love to help and guide those interested in music, specifically classical voice, opera, musical theater, and piano. I would love to share the great joy it brings me with others and pass down what I have learned over the years. I have completed courses in music pedagogy and education alongside my degree, and believe in shaping my lessons around each individual's learning style so that each student may continue to grow while having fun.