West Grove Music Lessons

ialize in teaching ages 5-19. I would describe myself as a preschool/elementary/middle school music teacher that teaches privately. ;) My studio is filled with many smiles, stickers for every accomplishment, and a treasure box of cool prizes for those 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!

appella groups. Thomas taught over 600 online and local private music lessons in 2016.

Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University. He holds a teaching certificate in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

upcoming performances

-I help students find and prepare for performance opportunities and I attend student performances

-I select one student a month to participate in our student showcase, featuring them in my newsletter

-I host twice a year recitals where students can show off their new skills

-I bring all materials to lessons for your convenience (excluding piano)

-singers receive recorded warm ups to practice with at home

-I am skilled at helping students with ear training if they need it for voice, most of my students can match pitch after a month of singing lessons no matter the trouble they have had before

-every student gets a "new student kit" at their first lesson including a list of performance opportunities and a vocal health guide for singers

-weekly instructional videos for voice sent

-weekly links to articles about music and the brain

-I respond to student concerns and questions within 24 hours

I welcome students of all ages and work hard to make music accessible for everyone.

-Young kids in voice can expect their lessons to be fun and educational including using visual tools like scarves and shakers, and imaginative play to learn vocal techniques needed to sing on pitch and with proper breathe control.

-Children in piano lessons will learn music theory and piano technique through simple songwriting exercises, theory games, visual tools and more. They will learn about composer's lives and musical styles, providing them with a well-rounded lesson experience.

-Older children and adult singers can expect to learn about their vocal anatomy in order to better control of their voice and become independent during practice sessions at home. They will learn how to improve breathe control, posture and diction. Time during lessons will also be dedicated to developing stage presence and discussing vocal health. Singers will be allowed to select repertoire from the genre of their choice. They can also learn how to harmonize and sight-sing in lessons if they would like.

-I teach beginning guitar students and help them learn how to play with proper technique and accompany themselves when singing. These students learn to read staff and tab and shape different chords on the guitar. I use theory games and visual tools for kids to make lessons fun

-Music theory/composition students will be taught how to read and write music. Students will be invited to improvise on the piano and record their improvisations.They will be taught how to sight-sing in order to learn how to notate any melodies in their head
They will learn how music has changed and been influenced throughout history. They will learn how to read lead sheets and use stylistic invariants in their playing. They will be provided with honest feedback and constructive help on their compositions.They will learn how the human brain processes music and how best to capitalize upon this process for the greatest audience appeal.

-I have experience teaching students with special needs and adjusting lessons to help them meet their goals.

About me!

I am a Westminster Choir College '11 Alum  who graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Music, summa cum laude. I also have my master's degree in music therapy from Drexel University. I am also a Member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and a  Board Certified Music Therapist. During my time at school I performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center, and did music therapy work with older adults, as well as disadvantaged children and parents.

I also have my own parent/child music class I host every Thursday September-May. It's never to early to start a music education!

I have been teaching for over four years and now have a studio of more than 70 happy students. Teaching music is my passion, and I love seeing students grow!

I often draw upon my experience from my master's degree in music therapy, which taught me that music can have a profound effect on the human brain and upon cognitive development.  My skills as a music therapist allow me to better understand a student's cognitive strengths and areas for improvement, and to develop individualized teaching strategies which utilize student strengths.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studios are equipped with keyboard, guitar or piano, as well as a sizable repertoire of classical, broadway and popular music. ' I also have a mirror for voice students to see how their body is moving when singing and visual tools for students like scarves, whiteboard, markers, crayons...ect. I am more than happy to help students find any music they may need for lessons that is not already in my library.

I recommend the following books for piano students (listed by age):
Ages 4-6:
My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book A with by Nancy & Randall Faber
Ages 6-12:Piano Adventures - Level 1: Lesson Book [Book]Faber Piano Adventures

Ages 12 and up:

Adult All-In-One Course: Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Level ...by Willard A. Palmer

Voice: Alfred's Teach Yourself to Sing
*** Specialties ***
I specialize in ear training, sight-singing and knowing and understanding vocal anatomy. Many of my students are students who have gone on to score lead roles in their schools or community theater performances, as well as lead singers of local bands looking to improve their techniques and improve their vocal health.

I specialize in theory and sight-reading for piano and theory students.

I also specialize in teaching those with special needs.

usic, which is the top ranked violin program in China. Mengjiao was admitted with scholarship after winning the first place in CCOM's national audition. Mengjiao was the second prizewinner of the Mozart International Violin Competition. She won the Chamber Music Competition in Meadowmount Music Festival. She also won the Concerto Competition of the University of Delaware in her freshman year.