Philadelphia, PA Songwriting Lessons

After that it is teaching the student technique and helping them through the growing process of their voice. This technique is for the healthiest kind of singing and will preserve the voice for a much longer time then would other styles of singing. That being said, a person can still sing other styles with a slight variation to the technique, but still keeping things healthy and feeling good.

I have added that I am willing to teach individuals who have special needs. I will say that where I teach does have stairs and is not wheelchair accessable. I am sorry about that. I do work at a school for children with developmental disabilities during the day and have been there for almost 4 years now. I have worked with adults as well as children. This has not been in a music setting, but I do have some ideas as to how to make it fulfilling for them as possible. That being said I will be honest with these individuals as well as patient. I believe that they should be treated equally and therefore will get the same level of attention as any of my other students.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a fairly laid back teacher, with the philosophy that the student must find their own reason for practicing and work hard. If the student is a young child, I believe that they sing because they love to do it and that love should not be killed by becoming a chore. I would encourage them to practice more in the form of play. This is the work of children after all.
If the student is older, and at an age where they are more serious about the work that comes from learning how to sing properly. Then they should be able to find their inspiration for practicing. I am a firm believer that no one can change someone except for them-self.
The idea of a curriculum would of course differ from student to student, but it also differs with age. With young children, the first goal would be to see how well they match pitch, because it will be difficult to get the student to work on technique if they have trouble matching pitch. Therefore that would be my first goal. After that, I would test the students range and work on teaching them technique.
If the student is in the process of changing their voice, I will work on helping them through this change and help them to find their new voice. This is where the biggest chance of students loosing their real voice and starting to mimic other older singers. The fact is that, they will have a more mature voice in time, but they need to sing in their voice and the more mature sound will come. The main thing will be working on stretching there range little by little. This is because after the male voice changes, they tend to have a very small range. This would be the large overall goal to teach them to use their own voice, stretch their range, and learn technique.
If the student is in their upper teens, then they should have a larger range, but they may still need to find their own voice. The next part will be just teaching the student technique and stretching their range.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano and guitar

*** Travel Equipment ***
I could supply a keyboard if need be.

*** Specialties ***
Choral Singing, Classical singing, Ear training, and Musicianship

no but the love of music for the student. And of course honoring the goals you have as well. Whether having a focus on theory, learning classical, jazz, that new pop song that you like, or maybe you have a audition coming up.

Feel free to contact me via the TakeLesson platform and ask questions! I'd be happy to address them and potentially teach some music. Thanks!

Philadelphia area.
In 2011, I successfully obtained my master's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The master's program was an intense submersion in music performance that shaped me into the musician that I am today. I was lucky to study with Don Glanden, Mike Kennedy, and Kevin Hanson.
I am also well versed in computer recording software and DAWs. I teach students how to use software programs such as Logic and Reason as well as notation software like Sibelius and Finale. With some basic training in these programs, I can teach a student how to effectively record and produce professional quality recordings so that a student can write, record, and produce their own music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Because I've studied with some legendary teachers who have taught some legendary students (like John Mayer), I'm able to pass on to my students the same knowledge that these incredible teachers passed on to me. I guarantee that I will be unlike any guitar teacher that you've had before. Along with instrumental training, I offer extensive lessons in music theory and ear training. My family is full of educators and I've experienced the teacher-student relationship from a young age. I am fully committed to developing lesson plans based on the route that a student wants to take, whether it's just learning the basics and playing along to your favorite songs or engaging in serious study and preparing for college auditions. I am available to teach at any location within the Philadelphia area.

*** Stylistic Focus ***
I specialize in jazz and blues. At Berklee, I was able to take instrumental labs that spent an entire semester focusing on the playing style of certain guitarists. I've taken the Wes Montgomery lab, the Pat Martino lab, the Jimi Hendrix lab, the John Scofield lab, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan lab.

singer and guitarist. I've played shows all over the Northeast including (but not limited to) Xfinity Live, Wells Fargo Center, Hard Rock Cafe, The Tin Angel, Borgata AC, Ballys, Tropicana, and Seacrets in OCMD.
I love music and the role it has played in shaping my life. I value the experiences and wisdom passed on to me by my music mentors and instructors, who not only had a meaningful impact on my music career but also immensely influenced my development as a person.
I look forward to having that same positive impact on any student I instruct :)

*** Lesson Details ***
I like lessons to be, first and foremost, an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I try to create a laid back and comfortable learning environment for all my students. Music is fun, and I guarantee that there will be plenty of good times while taking lessons!
Now, let me also clarify that my positive attitude and laid back demeanor are not excuses for students to be undisciplined and uncommitted. I promise to work hard toward your development as a musician to make you the best you can be, and I appreciate the same commitment from all of my students.
Music should be enjoyable, but also rewarding and enriching to your life! I don’t want to sell that short!

Below is a basic rundown of what a student can expect to learn while under my instruction. I would first like to preface this information by saying that I fully recognize that every student is different; therefore, I tailor lessons to fit an individual’s needs and goals. Because of this, the priority of certain skills tends to vary from one student to another, as does the order in which this skills are taught. I also want to note that I tend to use some self-made resources (charts, explanations, etc) in addition to published books. Taking into consideration the aforementioned variables, here is the basic rundown of the material I try to cover with students, in the general order it is taught:

-Understanding of guitar parts (anatomy of the instrument) and basic terms (ie note, chord, etc).
-Names of strings (E-string, B-string, etc.) and corresponding numbers for strings (1-6), and which fingers are given what numbers.
-Tuning of the instrument
-Basic technique (how to finger a fret board, hold guitar, hold pick, etc).
-How to find notes on the fret board/chromatic
-Basic rhythm concepts and counting (whole notes, quarter notes, time signatures, etc)—usually involves clapping exercise, single note playing exercises, reading rhythm charts, and learning what different note values look like.
-Basic concepts of “keys”
-Basic major and minor scales (especially for “warming up”)
-Chords (mostly basic open chords)
-Strumming
-Learning songs to put concepts together
For more advanced students, we will likely get into the following:
-Power chords, bar chords, and complex chords beyond majors and minors.
-Scales beyond basic majors and minors
-Music theory (chord construction, modes, etc).
-Knowledge of gear (for those guitarist who wish to branch out to electric guitar)—bass players will already have to know some of this before moving to more advanced work since they already require an amp.
-How to play with other musicians and instruments (collaboration, listening, understanding each instrument’s part, etc).

[To give students a basic timeline for these skills, one can expect to be playing open chords within three months and probably their favorite songs within 6 months]

SONGWRITING TEACHING METHODS:
-Review slides about basic song structure and anatomy of songs (verse, hook, etc)
-lyric and vocal phrasing
-finding your voice as a writer
-exploring environments and conditions that foster one’s creativity for writing songs (preference for outdoors, quite secluded spaces, etc).

LIVE PERFORMANCE:
-Breathing/relaxation exercises
-Movement/watching footage of self
-Watching footage of others
-Acting/stage exercises to get out of your head and into your body
-learning common problems with live performances and becoming comfortable with fast, on-the-spot trouble shooting (and how to avoid some problems before they begin).
-Finding your stage voice, both in singing and speaking.
-Developing your stage persona

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room
Equipped with guitars, bass amp, guitar amp, guitar cables, and tuner.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student should provide his or her own guitar (and amps when applicable)

*** Specialties ***
I'm currently a professional musician that sings and plays guitar and bass for pop and rock music. We perform in front of thousands of people each week so I'm very comfortable giving live performance instruction as well.

itar tab
- songs and pieces in a variety of styles
- fretboard knowledge
- scales and arpeggios
- lead guitar playing
- technique
- chords of all types
- finger picking, and pick style
- music theory
- ear training and solfege
- memorizing music
- interpretation and expression
- phrasing
- musicianship
- songwriting

mpet” chair in part of Disney’s highly selective All American College Band.

After graduate school, I moved to the city of Chicago proper. For 3 years, I played trumpet and sang jazz standards most Thursday evenings at the famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, one of Chicago’s oldest jazz clubs. In addition to that, I helped start The Syndicate, my hip-hop brass band that offers a blend of funk, R&B and jazz. I also played with other groups such as Four Star Brass Band, and J-Livi and the Party, which released an album in July of 2016 called “Come and Share My Life," whom I still play with.

In addition to playing trumpet, I also am an accomplished classical singer, presently predominantly performing with the Crossing, a Grammy Nominated professional chamber choir conducted by Donald Nally. This 17-18 season, I'm singing with Consprirare, Apollo’s Fire, The Crossing, Vocal Arts Ensemble (Cincinnati), Variant 6, Madison Choral Project, ekmeles (NYC), and Choral Arts Philadelphia. Recently, I made my debut as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Chris Deviney’s “Pat Metheney Concerto.”

I love teaching. I go into every lesson with the belief that the student is there to learn; if they weren't interested in learning, they wouldn't be there. Because I have always had diverse musical interests, I create a stress-free atmosphere for my students by allowing them to pursue whatever avenues of music interest them. My degrees may be in Jazz Studies and Performance, but I have extensive experience with Classical and Popular music; I provide a unique perspective and enthusiasm to every student.

dents to take creative risks, to be expressive, and above all, to play with joy! All students have the opportunity to share their progress with family and friends during fun, low-stress, semi-annual recitals. (Participation is optional but highly encouraged!)

Teaching Materials:
I use the Faber and Faber Piano Adventures books as a foundation, but also incorporate other music, including classical, pop and theatre music, depending upon student interest and what I feel will best help my students to stretch and grow! Students are also welcome to request pieces they would like to learn; I will do my best to find or create an arrangement that's appropriate to your current skill level.

Collingswood Home Studio -- Equipment:
Grand Piano
Guitar, ukulele
Microphone and amp
Recording device

Specialties:
Piano, Guitar, Songwriting, Classical, Musical Theater, Pop, Rock, Music Theory, Composition & Songwriting, Songwriting, Guitar Accompaniment, Piano Accompaniment, Performance, Business of Music.

Bio:
Allison has had considerable success as both a touring singer songwriter and composer for film, TV, and theater. She has shared the stage with Petra Haden, Rachael Sage, Fred Armisen, Lelia Broussard and many others. Songs from her most recent record, Sweet and Vicious, have been heard on Lifetime's Dance Moms, NBC's Late Night with Carson Daly, as well as shows on PBS, Bravo, Oxygen and TLC. As a composer, she was nominated for an EMMY and received a Telly Award for the music she composed for the documentary 5000 Miles from Home. Most recently, she composed music for the indie romantic comedy Get Happy, which premiered at the 2015 Manhattan FilmFestival. After many years in New York City, she now resides in Collingswood, New Jersey with her family.

guitar and have performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as well as done concerts in the USA, Italy, and the UK.
I have experience playing in many different bands in many styles including: Rock, Reggae, African, Blues, and Jazz groups.

SUZUKI METHOD: I am trained and certified in the Suzuki Guitar Method and spent 3 years teaching Suzuki in studio with children as young as 5. This involves a significant parent-teacher-student commitment and regularly yields impressive results.

ON TALENT: I agree with Shin-ichi Suzuki that talent is irrelevant and a myth. I believe that the potential of all my students are the same but they come to me with various starting skills levels and all learn at a very different pace. I believe that the myth of “talent” really just means that the individual has had a long exposure to music. This is why I emphasize critical listening in my lessons. If you have a large knowledge of music and sounds in your head it makes it easier to make connections and better assess your ideas.