Piano Lessons

in Blue Springs.

Amazing Teachers.

et any books that we play through (but I'll give you time to get them, so don't worry.) Any books that we use will be easy to find and won't cost a whole lot of money.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will always bring my instrument with me when I attend a lesson, so I expect my students to do the same when they come to my studio. Also, make sure you have any books and music that we will be playing out of. I always have a copy of anything that we are playing, so I expect the student to have a copy as well.

*** Specialties ***
Trumpet
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Piano

ming. In middle and high school I did many musicals (Jekyll and Hyde, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver, Miss Saigon, Little Shop of Horrors, Footloose, Kiss Me Kate, and Cats) and sang in the choir (including the California All State Honor Choir and Jazz Choir). I played guitar in the school Jazz Band and participated in many jam sessions out of school. I also participated in many piano competitions, including ones for my own composition (I received an honorable mention for one of my own piano works). In college, I received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Redlands. I have recently completed my Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Redlands. I have performed many opera roles including Suor Angelica in Puccini's Suor Angelica, Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, the Queen of the Night in Mozart's The Magic Flute, and Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte, and Najade in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. I was also in the University Chapel Singers Choir, Madrigals Choir, and Treblemakers a Capella Jazz choir. I currently reside in Germany where I am teaching online lessons to students all over the world, teaching English, and pursuing an opera career. So far I have sung the role of the Queen of the Night in Weimar, Germany and have done a few concerts singing Christine from the Phantom of the Opera.

"Hard work beats talent if talent does not work hard." This is my favorite quote. I truly believe that hard work will take you anywhere, no matter where your starting point is. With hard work and determination, you can be anything you want to be. With motivation, anyone can be a beautiful singer, guitarist, and pianist. If I did not believe this with all my heart, I would not be where I am today. To me, every student has great potential. It is my job and joy to bring out that potential and cultivate it into talent, love, and passion.

LESSON DETAILS

My lessons are fun and rewarding. I do not believe that a critical environment is one that is healthy or pleasant to learn in. Therefore, I am a very encouraging, patient, and supportive teacher, and I will praise you for your improvements, as well as help you correct your difficulties. I like to think of my lessons as a team effort, with more emphasis on working together and having fun. With that being said, I believe that you get what you put in out of our lessons. The more you practice and the more you show me determination and motivation, the more we can have fun, improve technique, and really make music in our lessons.

I customize each lesson to my student, so you tell me what you want to sing or play and what your goals as a musician are, and I will instruct you (or your child) in the exact way that fits your goals and interests. After a couple months with me, you will have a new found passion for music, knowledge of proper technique, reading and diction, and the skills to perform and communicate pieces of music. Most importantly, you will have the time of your life!

My voice lessons consist of vocal warm-ups where you learn proper technique and posture, breathing exercises to expand your diaphragm and support when you sing, and Repertoire work where you apply the technique you learned, practice performance skills, and learn diction of English, Italian, German, Hebrew, or French.

My guitar and piano lessons start with learning how to read music (if you do not know already) and being familiar with the keys or frets and the notes on the staff. Then we work on pieces of music, paying attention to the key factors of musicianship including rhythm, interpretation, dynamics, composition, musicality, and performance practice. My music theory lessons are based on whatever the student wants to learn or needs instruction on. I teach anywhere from basic music notation to advanced harmonic and formal analysis.

My speaking and lessons are similar to my voice lessons, minus the singing aspect-the same technique we use for singing is the technique we must use for speaking if we want to be heard, be healthy, and not get tired or worse - lose our voice. We work on breathing and projection techniques and then practice on a reading sample or presentation.

My acting lessons consist of different improv-acting games, projection techniques, and monologue and role studies. You will learn how to communicate a message to the audience clearly and effectively while having a wonderful time!

My language and tutoring classes are focused on fluency-getting comfortable speaking in the target language. We go through chapters of a lesson plan I created myself-learning vocabulary and grammar by learning the functions of them and completing speaking goals. After just a few lessons, you will find that you will be able to converse in your target language. Your individual pace is the most important to me, so we learn at the speed that you are the most comfortable with.

All I expect from you is to bring a pencil, a good attitude, and the willingness to practice and work hard in our lessons, and I will supply the rest! Looking forward to hearing your beautiful music or voice!

that is professional and conducive to learning. My lessons include instruction in theory, technique and exposure to a variety of musical styles. Beginners will learn to play songs within 3 months time and gradually expand their repertoires to include more difficult piano pieces!

Beginning students are taught fundamental skills that apply to all piano players such as scales and arpeggios. Hanon exercises are used and chromatic scales are learned as well. I use Alfred teaching materials but not exclusively.

I encourage students to find their own favorites to play and lessons are tailored to meet the goals of the student. If your desire is to become a classical pianist, we concentrate on works of the masters. If you are wanting to improvise with a jazz band, we work toward ear training with the jazz greats! If you would like to play in a church worship service, we will focus our attention on service playing and playing worship songs by ear, too.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Den: upright, couch and recliner, parents can sit in on lesson

*** Specialties ***
Classical and church music

Robben Ford, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Martin Taylor, and James Taylor, to name a few. Today David plays and teaches a variety of different styles, ranging from rock and blues to classical and jazz.

Piano

David started to play the piano after years of playing the guitar. Although a second instrument, it in many ways it was the first as everything David has aspired to on the guitar is pianistic, and he draws much of his inspiration on the instrument from piano players. Correspondingly, it wasn't long before David picked up the piano itself, studying privately first with Tatev Amir and later with Karen, Kushner, Professor of Piano Studies at UMKC. David applies many of the same principles to the piano that he does the guitar including stressing a comprehensive knowledge of music theory, self transcription, ear training and classical technique as well as the more traditional facets of piano pedagogy such as sight reading and rhythm work. Students learn music theory as applied to the keyboard, sight-reading, improvisation and the application of classical technique to modern styles.

As a pianist David is motivated primarily by his passion for music. Growing up he was influenced by classical, jazz, and film scores. Since picking up the piano he has been inspired by pianists from such diverse backgrounds as Art Tatum, Nicolai Lugansky, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Evans among others. Today David plays and teaches a variety of different styles, ranging from rock and blues to classical and jazz.

*** Lesson Details ***
I have extensive experience with all ages and skill levels. I use a curriculum specifically geared towards the guitar, as opposed to more traditional (and inferior) methods that emphasize note reading and piano pedagogy, my method will teach you music theory as it relates to the neck of the guitar and the music that the student are interested in. I am a fairly laid back teacher; we will go at your pace, but I do expect you to work hard.

With piano I use classical literature to develop technique but emphasize the development of a comprehensive understanding of music theory as applied to the keyboard. This includes but is not limited to studies in pop, rock, jazz and other style of contemporary piano.

*** Studio Equipment ***
#1) Dedicated music room seating for parents

#2) Practice/rehearsal room seating for parents

#3) Amplification provided and music stand.

#4) Keyboard/Piano for student use

#5) Broadband network, dual camera, file sharing and the latest technology utilized for online lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a music stand, my instrument, curriculum materials, music paper materials and amplification (if needed). I expect the student to have their own instrument and potentially amplification. I provide a piano for instruction but I expect my students to have a piano or keyboard for practice at home.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical and jazz guitar, however I am fluent in most styles, including rock, blues, fingerstyle, and miscellaneous. I teach from Jay EuDaly's "Vertical Truth: Chordal Mechanisms for the Guitar" but I also supplement this with a variety of other curriculum.

In piano I specialize in classical piano as well as jazz and pop.

and translating this to Ableton and electronic music! Let me know how I can help you!