Derby Music Lessons

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r Piano - I have privately instructed over 30 students in beginner-level piano skills. I can help you master the basics of the instrument, acquire a basic technique, and learn how to read music if necessary. Once the fundamentals are in place, we can cover piano repertoire from a wide variety of styles (jazz, classical, rock, pop, international, etc.), and maybe even learn some of your favorite music and pieces! If you wish, I can supplement lessons with music theory.

Composition and Arrangement - To date I have helped my students write over 20 compositions of widely varying styles and characters. I can help you perfect the art of writing melody, harmony, accompaniment, counterpoint, forms, lyrics, songs, orchestration, or film music! I will provide feedback on your work, as well as instructive musical examples from the past.

Music Theory - I I have taught music theory for 4 years to over 50 students. I can teach you everything from music theory fundamentals (key signatures, scales, major/minor chords, chord analysis) to some of the most advanced topics in undergraduate and graduate musical studies (form, part-writing, counterpoint, advanced harmonic analysis, Schenkerian analysis).

Ear Training - I have taught ear training for 3 years to over 50 students. I am very experienced in assisting students in recognizing and notating everything from single notes and chords to complex passages of music. I have many useful learning materials and know effective methods for achieving aural recognition.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a lesson, please do not hesitate to contact me!

when learning something new just clicks for them — it makes me work even harder to see their success in that technique or song they are working on. Practice doesn’t come easy and I like to assure my students with helpful reasons AND ways to practice at home. Because practice makes perfect.

was the Beatles, couple with a strong exposure to the classics. Being unbearably shy and self-conscious due to her disability, Donna’s entire world exploded at the age of 13 when she started playing the guitar and writing music. Determined to set an example for other people with disabilities, she put together several bands over the next 30 years, acquiring local success with Buffalos’ first all female country band, touring all over Western New York and Pennsylvania. Besides being the leader of the band, Donna played the guitar, banjo and wrote all the bands original music. Due to the success of her last band “Sweet Phantasy” Donna was featured in a half hour television special focusing on her ability to perform and write music, despite her hearing loss. Now with her performing days behind her, Donna is concentrating all her creative abilities on perfecting her craft of songwriting. Having written 100’s of songs over the years, she is writing new and re-writing some old, having them produced and recorded in Nashville for that pure country sound. Tapping in to the wisdom that comes with experience, her music now has taken on a new life, and richness of its own. “Now, I tell it like it is because I’ve been there, done that, and have a lot to say”. Her song "TRY" was released in July 2017 by recording artist Mia Kylie Ditta, opening up a slew of new and exciting projects and co-writes in the works.