Music Theory with Amali P.

Born in Chicago to a musical family, Amali began piano lessons with her mother at age five, and cello lessons a few years later at the Merit School of Music. She completed her formal studies at the Manhattan School of Music in 2007 where her primary teachers were Julia Lichten and Margo Tatgenhorst-Drakos. Recent performance experience include the New England Symphonic Ensemble, Zero Gravity Contemporary Music Ensemble, and in master classes with cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Ron Leonard. Amali has taken part in festivals such as the Mannes Beethoven Institute and the Tanglewood Institute and has taught at summer programs such as the Kinhaven Music School. She currently plays in Tiger Lilies, a duo project that seeks to blend folk music with creative improvisations and arrangements as well as alice., a pop and jazz based septet that has recently completed it's second full-length album, a.443. She enjoys an exciting performance and teaching schedule in the New York City area, and believes that one of the most rewarding benefits of playing music comes from being able to share it with others. *** Lesson Details *** I like to emphasis a relaxed and gentle approach to the instrument. Making music should never cause you physical pain and so it's important to build a strong and solid technical foundation based on a balance between strength, flexibility and relaxation. Over time, this physical freedom allows for natural musical expression and creativity. I always give my students the choice in the direction they like to take their lessons, whether it be learning simple tunes to perform for friends or mastering classical repertoire for the concert stage, I am open to lots of ideas! We always begin with assessing the student's musical goals and then form appropriate musical projects to work on. Meanwhile, we make sure to cover the necessary elements of music making, ranging from proper instrument position to music theory and musicality. I also strongly encourage regular individual practice in order to reinforce what we learn. My aim as a teacher is to guide each student along on their own musical journey... *** Studio Equipment *** Upright piano, keyboard fully weighted 88 keys, amplifier, cello, violin, guitars, electric and upright bass. All necessary chords and cables. Stereo, tuners, metronomes, etc, computer, recording equip, *** Travel Equipment *** I travel with my own instrument and require students to have their own instrument as well. *** Specialties *** Cello: beg to adv