Piano with Alexandra P.

Alexandra has been teaching harp and piano around the country for eighteen years through her personal harp studio and the Salvi Showroom in Southern California. She has also worked as a sectional coach for the Orange County Youth Symphony, Asia America Youth Symphony, and Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra. Her students are currently attending Eastman School of Music, Columbia University, Barnard College, Harvard University, Boston College, University of Pennslyvania, Princeton University, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, Yale University and Purdue University among others. Her students have also appeared on National television as well as playing for the Grammy Awards. A strong supporter of the American Harp Society, she served as Vice President of the American Harp Society Foundation. Alexandra was also co-chairman of the distinguished Anne Adams Awards Harp Competition where she was a main Director for almost twenty years. She also served as the Vice President and President of the Orange County Harp Society Chapter as well as a board member of the Bay Area Harp Society Chapter. Alexandra received her Bachelor's Degree from DePauw University, majoring in Music and Anthropology. She also completed premedical studies at DePauw after spending her Junior year studying harp at the University of Oregon. She received her Master's Degree from Roosevelt University in Orchestral Studies, and did post graduate work at the University of Southern California in Harp Performance and Anthropology. Alexandra's harp teachers have included: Sarah Bullen, Sally Maxwell, Edward Druzinsky, JoAnn Turovsky, Harriet Thompson Moore, Kara Bershad, Faye Seeman, Joy Andreasen, and Neva Lydiard. She has also had many mentors who have guided her life and career including: Kathleen Bride, Victor Salvi, Sally Maxwell, Patricia Masri- Fletcher, Robin Gordon- Cartier, Carrie Kourkoumelis, Dr. Craig Pare, and Karen Thielen. Alexandra has performed in many master classes given by such internationally known harpists as Skaila Kanga, Jana Bouskova, Marie Pierre Langlamet, and Bryn Lewis. She has also organized many masterclasses and events featuring: Kathleen Bride, Sarah Bullen, Gwyneth Wentink, Patricia Masri - Fletcher, Louise Vickerman, Sivan Magen, Sasha Boldachev, Ina Zdorovetchi, Angel Padilla Crespo, Elzbieta Szmytt, Susan Allen, Gayle Levant, Stella Castelucci, Robin Gordon Cartier, Emmanuel Ceysson, Yolanda Kondonasis, and Kim Robertson.   Alexandra has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe as a soloist, with small ensembles, and as an orchestral harpist. She has appeared in several television shows such as General Hospital. Her playing,"Is filled with care, artistry, and mature interpretation. She is a talented musician, well rounded in her knowledge of music, and has a healthy curiosity in areas beyond music." (Donald Chen, conductor) "Everything I heard was sensitive, artistic, and had beautiful intonation." (Richard Ferrin, violist emeritus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra). In addition to playing, Alexandra has also served as the Ambassador for Salvi Harps in North America for the past eleven years. She has given numerous masterclasses and workshops in addition to performing at National Harp Conferences and National and Regional music showcases. In her role as National Sales Manager, she helped harpists from all over the world find their dream harps, learn to care for them, and has mentored them along the way. Apart from harp activities, Alexandra also enjoys teaching middle school, teaching piano, coaching rowing, participation in sports activities, and writing articles for various journals including: The American Harp Journal, Chicago Health Magazine, and Atlanta Health Magazine. She also enjoys being a board member on the DePauw University Alumni Board and she enjoys working on music startup companies. *** Lesson Details *** As a HARP teacher, all of my students play scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises in their lessons. I believe having a strong technical base is the foundation for every part of playing and you can't learn without it. I will set the repertoire for students according to their technical progress and although I may take into consideration a student's desires to learn a certain piece, there has to be time and they have to be ready for it. I have both short term and long term goals for each student that involve theory, technical ability, and repertoire: fun, orchestral and solo. Adult students still have to learn technique, it makes things much more fun and easy six months later, I promise! Beginning students will learn how to read notes, understand basic theory, and technique in a short amount of time, so don't be scared if you have never had a music lesson before.  I require all students make at least half an hour a day commitment to practice. I teach mostly the Grandjany method of harp technique, however, I also use Salzedo and Renie methods at times to fit a particular students' build and unique physical attributes as well as what the piece requires. I have studied all techniques throughout my education and I find them all beneficial for different reasons. I do, however, believe everyone is built differently and the technique should help the harpist play and not hinder them from achieving their goals. Everyone learns at a different speed, but as a brand new musician, after six months practicing regularly, you should be able to read music fluently, understand basic theory concepts, be able to play with both hands and four fingers on each hand, play all of the basic scales and arpeggios musically and be able to play at least one piece memorized. Curriculum is based on the student's technical ability and issues and is individually created – if you learn slower than someone else, don’t worry about your pace. In the end, lessons are about you personally and not someone else. As a PIANO teacher, I want students to learn about music and not just the piano. Students will learn basic music theory and basic scales as a part of their lessons. They will also occasionally choose a song of their choosing to work on chords. I do promote note reading and theory, so I am not the right teacher for students who don't want to invest time in learning the basics. These basics are the building blocks of all music and can be used for any instrument the student chooses to learn in the future. *** Studio Equipment *** I have harps and a piano at my studio, so you do not need to bring your harp to lessons. If you don't own a harp, you can rent one for around $45/month from several sources.  *** Specialties *** HARP - Grandjany Technique with an incorporation of Salzedo and French school depending on the player's body type and technical difficulties. I make use of the ABRSM as well as local, national, and international competitions depending on the student's level of commitment. PIANO - I teach basic piano for fun through an Intermediate level. Although some students choose to take CM and ABRSM exams, I do not push them. I want students to enjoy piano and music lessons.