Ridley Park Music Lessons

se who are practicing regularly and did a great job in their lesson. Lessons are a time where children can feel like music really is fun and enjoyable to learn and experience!

In addition to being a teacher, I am also a singer/songwriter, and performed for 6 years at local coffee shops and outdoor events within Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. I am also a member of a local professional caroling group called Yuletide Singers which performs seasonally in places like Longwood Gardens and corporate functions. My history for performing stretches back, though, to my years as a puppeteer/children's performer, touring with a team doing school assemblies and evening family performances. I'm always excited to bring my understanding and experience with performance to my students!

**And, with excitement, I must add that TakeLessons named me "Teacher of the Week" on October 4, 2010! What a great honor! Thank you TakeLessons!!**

*** Lesson Details ***
Our time spent together will be filled with many smiles & laughs because that is probably why you want to take lessons -- because it makes you feel wonderful inside!

Within 3-6 months, we'll begin discovering how to read music and understand the language of it. We'll learn how to play/sing some of your favorite songs and learn some that you might not know. We'll discover what you really want to learn and achieve through taking lessons, and we'll work toward those goals!

For the intermediate piano student, we will begin understanding basic Music Theory and scales and will even take a look at how chord symbols work. Soon, you'll be learning how to accompany yourself and others as you sing! For singers, we'll learn about vocal techniques, breathing, getting your best vocal sound and discovering how to take a song to its potential! We'll also learn performance techniques, how to work with a microphone, have a great stage presence in front of a live audience and begin learning how to read music and even get familiar with the piano keyboard! For all my students, it's a journey that is exciting, unique to each individual, and one we will embark on together!

Because music is a performing art, I coordinate two music recitals each school year for students who are interested. This is an optional event, but is encouraged as part of the learning experience. It is usually held at a local firehall and presented in a low-stress and fun way with refreshments that follow!

*My studio is in a safe, family-friendly home & smoke-free environment. We also having a loving canine member in our family... a Yellow Labrador Retriever named Maximus. He is energetic and friendly. You may or may not see him since the entrance to my studio is through our back door, off the main house.

So! What do you say? Shall we START THE MUSIC? :)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons are enjoyed in a dedicated music room; keyboard (full-size with weighted keys and sustain pedal)

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25
lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.

I specialize in music education for all children, including ones with special needs. I feel it is so important for a child to start out with a fun and wonderful experience with music and performing. My approach is simple and fun and understandable for the young mind.

For my more intermediate students, I enjoy taking them to the next level of understanding in their instrument as well as music theory.

Because music is a performing art, I coordinate two music recitals each year for students who are interested. This is an optional event and presented in a low-stress and fun way!

d rave reviews for her “musically impressive” and “soaring” performance from The News Journal. Alexis will be staring

In theater, Alexis has played both comic and serious roles, including a striking female interpretation of E. K. Hornbeck in Inherit the Wind. Alexis has also worked in film, recently completing the production of Dead on Delmarva, a zombie-comedy-thriller produced by Arkham Productions.

In addition to her acclaim as a performer, Alexis gained recognition for her work as a choral conductor, working at the New Ark United Church of Christ and the Church of the Advent in Kennett Square, as well as vocal coaching with The Tatnall School. was the music director for the production of Les Miserables at Mt. Pleasant High School. Alexis currently works at the St. Anthony's Cathedral in Wilmington.

When speaking of her career, she comments, “Performing music and drama is not just a passion for me; it’s my sense of purpose. Whether I am working on a role, singing in an opera, developing a character, teaching a student, whatever the artistic avenue. It completely fulfills me. ”

*** Lesson Details ***
Alexis teaches proper singing technique and support through the Bel Canto philosophy of vocal production, and specializes in Classical, Opera, Musical Theater, and Jazz singing styles. Sight singing skill work is also offered and will cover basic music theory in addition to solfege music reading techniques. Alexis offers audition preparation services such as audio recording and transposition for her current voice studio students, for an additional fee.

In addition to vocal lessons, Alexis is pleased to offer beginner piano and music theory lessons. The piano lessons are geared towards singers who would like to learn to accompany themselves, or would simply like to be better at piano for rehearsal purposes. Music Theory lessons will be presented at the individual students level and will cover everything a student desires to learn, from basic rhythm and pitch reading through compositional theory.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: couch, computer desk, piano, studio bookshelf, room for parents to sit in on lesson

*** Specialties ***
Opera voice, musical theater acting and voice, jazz voice, classical voice, safe stage combat acting, diction and speaking, Alexander Technique, sight singing and music reading, basic music theory, audition preparation

atmosphere, with praise for incremental progress and encouragement for areas of improvement. Students use the Alfred series and other supplements, graded to the student's age, ability and interests.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home- studio in large living room space seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I teach a well-rounded approach, combining technique, theory and songs from various musical styles in a graded, graduated progression. Then I supplement with additional music according to the interests and growing ability of the student.

d freelance and record with many others...everyone from former members of Bon Jovi, to Marvin Hamlisch, and some completely unexpected names like Joe Frazier And The Knockouts. Yes, I know, that's pretty amusing, and Joe couldn't sing...but I wasn't going to tell him!

I have an extensive collection of books and videos that I draw from for my students, and to personally improve at my craft. This is not a sideline, or part-time job for me...this is my life, and my career!

*** Lesson Details ***
In my lessons I strive to make the maximum progress possible, while also having as much fun as possible. This is accomplished by imparting the most valuable, useful, and beneficial information in a fun and relaxed, low pressure environment, always with the students goals and priorities first and foremost. I also like to keep the student challenged at their current ability level.

For beginning students I stress basic fundamentals, just as you would in sports. It makes progress come at a much faster clip and avoids making time consuming corrections later. The longer you play with bad habits, the harder they are to break.

For more advanced students, I assess their current abilities, determine if any problems need to be addressed, and with their goals in mind, come up with the proper plan of action.

Having been self taught till entering college I understand all ends of the spectrum. In my career I have come across three separate groups of musicians:

1) Those who have good ears, but can't read.
2) Those who read well, but can't play without music in front of them.
3) Those with great ears who also read well.

Number 3 is obviously the best of all possible worlds and what I strive to achieve with all my students. Being accomplished in both areas enables them to be prepared for anything they will come across, and gives them a distinct advantage over their peers.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a state of the art drum studio, beyond anything else I have ever seen, with everything from a top of the line V-Drum kit (electronic drums) and several acoustic sets that I rotate occasionally to keep interest level high. As opposed to many stores, schools and homes...there are no sax players in the next studio, no guitars blaring, no kids running around, no distractions! We only hear what we want to hear! It's so much easier to maintain focus on the task at hand.

One of the pluses of the electronic set is when a student is playing along with music, we can just plug an iPod, Kindle, whatever, into the system, dial in the perfect matching volume between music and drums...and not go deaf. No muss, no fuss, no headphones needed, unless the student wants them...I have plenty.

I am in my own building, so unlike many of the shoebox sized studios i have worked in, I have a lot of space (17'x22'), a waiting area for parents, and since it's one open area, if parents come in the building they are sitting in on the lesson. There is ample parking and I am conveniently located near a major intersection, and right next to a major shopping center (Wal-Mart, Staples. Weiss Supermarket, Pep Boys, etc.). In fact many parents go shopping while their children are taking their lessons. Some even walk! I'm that close.

I am also a Certified Plus drum dealer, so if students need some equipment, we can usually handle that too.

*** Specialties ***
I adapt my style to each student and usually hand write everything for quite awhile. There's a lot to cover and it enables me to break from standard procedure when beneficial. I play and teach all styles and genres, so I feel comfortable with pretty much everything.
I use numerous books for many different purposes well beyond the scope of what's listed below.

nd music so that you can learn on your own!

*** Studio Equipment ***
dedicated music room; 7 foot Steinway B grand piano

*** Specialties ***
I'm a classically trained pianist. I teach students to read music. I teach all kinds of music not just classical.

bs and is currently performed with the Delaware County Symphony and the Rose Tree Pops. Throughout the years, Stephen has performed with Elicia in a number of events, including weddings, Christmas shows, and entertainment at restaurants such as the 800 Bay Restaurant and Club.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons offer an extensive education in technique, musicality, music theory, and most importantly, effective practice methods that increase capability and skill rapidly. I tailor my lessons specifically according to the student's abilities and strengths, while incorporating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Typically, I use the Suzuki and Strictly Strings books for beginner students, and I will then advance to etude studies such as Wolfarht and Sevick in addition to the Suzuki sequels for my intermediate students. Lastly, I will add Introducing the Positions, Mazas, Josephine Trott Double Stops, and solo concertos to my advanced students.

After a few months, my students acquire a well rounded knowledge and feel for the violin and classical music and appreciate the art and beauty music brings to life. They are always strongly impacted and inspired to pursue and achieve higher goals and activities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
In the music room there is a piano and music stands, and music available for purchase if necessary.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would bring my own instrument, but would expect my students to have an instrument, stand (or a piano is fine), music (if it is not a first lesson) and a willingness to learn!

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical violin, and I have worked with the Suzuki Method, but I am also very open to other methods and schools. I also teach varied styles of violin such as fiddle.

Musical "Mamaleh". Sandra has performed in over fifty productions of Musicals, Operetta, and Opera. Some of her favorite roles include: Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Desiree (A Little Night Music), Marguerite (The Scarlet Pimpernel), Antonia (The Tales of Hoffmann), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi).

Most recently, she has performed the role of Lynn Fontanne in Ten Chimneys at Old Academy Players, and played one of the principal roles in Jacque Brel Is Alive And Well and Living In Paris at The Steel River Playhouse.

As a director, Sandra has staged operas for Center City Opera Theater, the Delaware Valley Opera Company, Boheme Opera New Jersey, and the New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble. She is currently singing concerts with the vocal group "Touch of Classics", and can be seen in commercials for Time Warner, Cuisinart, The Skooter Store, and Aspercreme.

*** Lesson Details ***
Our lessons will be relaxed and informal. My goal is to make you the best you can be. We will work on giving you a solid vocal technique so that you can approach any style of music with a good foundation. We will also work on learning to read music, and most importantly work on songs that will bring out the actor in you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Small studio, keyboard, seating provided (couch), street parking

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in musical theater, classical, and opera. I can also teach German and Italian diction. My acting experience is mainly in musical theater.