Piano Lessons in Allenton. Amazing Teachers.

Students of all ages in a personal relaxed atmosphere.
Customized to each student. If the student has not previously taken lessons I use Piano Adventures as the basic course guide. I have found it the most productive and enjoyable for my students. I uses a minimum of the Lesson and Theory book for my younger students with either the basic course or Accelerated course depending on their age and maturity. Adults begin with the All In one adult book. I add the other books that accompany each level based on the particular students needs and interests. I believe that a good grounding in Theory is essential as a student who becomes proficient in sight reading, no matter how well he/she plays by ear, will find that the doors for lifetime musical fulfillment with be much wider. However, with a student who has already had some lessons I will be happy to continue with any method that the student is currently using.
I also believe in supplementing the Piano course with the student's favorite ...

My approach to teaching involves developing a comprehensive understanding of what one is doing while playing, rather than just learning a couple of songs, or relying solely on your muscle memory, you will be able to explain what you are doing from a theoretical standpoint.

Without getting too heavy with the use of technical terms, I will teach you to see the underlying threads that apply to all styles of music and encourage you to begin making these types of connections yourself.
This is an important skill to develop early so that as you progress you can begin to teach yourself develop your own unique stylistic approaches to music!

After studying at Laguardia High school for the Performing Arts, I attended McGill University in Montreal where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Jazz Piano Performance.

If you study with me you will be able to expand your knowledge of:
-Music Theory
-Harmony
-Piano technique
-Ear Training
-Sight Reading
-Composition
-Improvisation

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I always cater my instruction method towards a student's specific needs. Beginners will usually progress through a series of books to help them improve performance technique and grasp the fundamentals of music theory. We then move on to practicing more focused repertoire, which may include anything from Bach and Beethoven to The Beatles and Ben Folds, depending on the student's interests. My goal is always to give the student a set of tools that will allow them to adapt to any style of music.

I attune to each students needs, whether they are visual, pattern, or verbal learners. I do not subscribe to any "Piano 101" books; instead write practice exercises on a computer program or supply actual pieces or piano books, attuned to each student's needs. Lines on a page are boring for many; I add color to the notes on the page to help teach beginners the practice of sight reading, as I myself have synesthesia. I also encourage students to learn whichever music they want: if one wants to learn ragtime, I will teach ragtime; if one wants to learn jazz, I will teach jazz; and if one wants to learn classical, I will teach classical. I hope to expand students' involvement in music and enhance creativity. I also understand how important listening is, and encourage students to listen. But amidst all this, I strongly believe it is in both of our best interests to not assign busywork. Piano is more than a just skill; it is a hobby, a meditation practice, and it can be a tool for your life

This is for the beginner student looking to get a good start understanding some basic piano technique and music theory. Feel free to ask any question and all ages are welcome.