Student Favorite
Cindy H.
Student Favorite
Teaching Locations:
Online
Teacher's Studio
Teaching Locations:
Online
Teacher's Studio
Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedAbout Cindy H.
Cindy has been making music for as long as she can remember. She was the assistant director of a synagogue children's choir by age 14 and has directed and sung with many community choirs and pickup groups since then. But it wasn't until 1996 that she discovered the autoharp and began teaching and performing in earnest. Now one of the best recognized autoharp workshop leaders in the US, she has taught and performed at festivals and private concerts from Pennsylvania to California, as well as Tasmania, Australia, England, Scotland, aboard cruise ships, and in Sweden. She also shares her knowledge of old-time West Virginia fiddle techniques and repertoire, and is known locally as a sympathetic and effective voice teacher for those who think they cannot sing. In addition to her teaching activities, Cindy founded and directs the Pittsburgh Threshold Choir, a group of women who sing at the bedsides of people who are very ill or dying. She is also the leader of GrayScale, a non-traditional band that plays for square dances and contradances.
Lessons with Cindy are self-directed with coaching intended to help the student accomplish his or her personal objectives. She will ask you to provide examples of music that you love so much that you'd be willing to work hard to learn to play it, and you will find yourself working on that music right from the start. Technique is taught in the context of the music: if you need a technique for a particular song, you will learn that technique. And of course once you've mastered a technique it's yours to use on the next song or tune and the next. It's a constant process of enjoying the music and discovering and mastering the technique needed to recreate it in your own playing or singing.
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons start with a review of the work you've been doing. We might take that song or tune to the next level with a new technique, or we might apply technique you've already learned to a new piece. Every lesson is different, customized to the needs of the student at that moment.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment
*** Travel Equipment ***
Instruments, audio and video recording equipment as needed
Reviews
Write a Review
Online
Cindy is an amazing fiddle teacher. I came to her for help in learning old-time fiddle technique. I wanted something more than just learning the tune. Cindy is helping me improve my bowing style, be a better listener, and achieve a sound I always dreamed of but didn't know how to do.
When it comes to teachers, Cindy is the best of the best. She'll lay out exercises to build your skill step by step. If you love old-time music and want to excel at playing the fiddle, Cindy's your gal.
Online
Cindy is teaching me how to play Old Time fiddle tunes and technique in the cross tune of GDGD. I find her to be an instructor that is both process-oriented (providing information about the music background"what,when,who,why") and product-oriented (how to play/technique). She always begins lessons with a review from the past lesson and the homework provided that she records and sends to me. Her demonstrations are very clear and are at a rate and pace comfortable to me. She provides clear verbal cues throughout the lessons. Cindy is very strong in task analysis, breaking down each tune part, beginning with bowing. Her feedback throughout lessons is both positive-specific and corrective-specific. Every lesson is highly enjoyable and filled with encouragement. I am a retired college professor in teacher education, and I know about the constructs of what makes a high quality teacher - Cindy, demonstrates this to me. I feel fortunate to have Cindy as my fiddle instructor.
Online
I feel really lucky to have connected with Cindy on takelessons.com during the pandemic. I actually cannot think of another time a teacher has taught me so much so skillfully - and it's all happening over the internet! Cindy has a fabulous sense of humor, she is honest and good at her profession. She's more than a fiddle teacher, she shares a music tradition with wisdom and care.
Online
She's the cat's pajamas
Online
A wealth of knowledge and the patience to match.
Online
Love Cindy's lessons, super patient.
Teacher's Studio
Patient, every word she says means something important! Learned a lot today!
Student's Home
I recently approached Cindy for vocal coaching on songs that I perform on a regular basis with my duet. I am extremely pleased with her instruction. She was to the point, very clear and concise with her guidance. I know she improved my performance (I had a concert the very next day!). She gave me so much to think about. I really trust her approach with me. She made me feel very much at ease, which resulted in rapid-fire student/teacher give and take vocal direction. This is the way I like to learn! I loved my time with her and will certainly have another session with her soon!
Teacher's Studio
I have more confidence know that I been leaning from Cindy she teaches everything about music. Know I will know what to do when I'm singing with my church choir. She is a lots of fun and knowledgeable on what she does. I always look forward every week leaning something new. Thank you Cindy
Teacher's Studio
I had three lesson with Cindy so far and can't wait to go again she has built my confidence in singing. She is a lot of fun. She is helping me to accomplish my goals
Online
Cindy is a knowledgeable and nurturing teacher. Her musicianship and generosity of spirit are exactly what a student needs. As a music teacher myself, I wholeheartedly recommend her to you.
I had the opportunity to learn from her the techniques she uses to teach pitch matching to singers and observe her successfullyl using it with a brand new student. She has a gift for pinpointing what is happening and then clearly explaining how to improve, all while building self-confidence. A teacher like her that can help others gain skills, and find joy in music, is a true gem!
Teacher's Studio
I am one of those people that has been told all my life that I can't sing. I believed everyone and always thought there was no hope for me. Then I met Cindy. She converted me. I am now a believer. She was able to teach me to match a tone but to believe in myself. Now, I believe that I can learn to match a tone and eventually produce music. Thank you Cindy for that belief in myself and for the knowledge I needed to be able to produce music! Cindy is one of those incredible people that knows how to read people and find a process that works for each.
Photos & Videos
6 Photos & Videos
Experience
Fiddle instructor
Jan 2003 - PresentPrivate Lessons
Teach private students in one-on-one lessons.
Autoharp instructor
Jan 1998 - PresentPrivate Lessons
Teach private students in one-on-one or group lessons. Often teach at festivals featuring autoharp
Choral director and voice coach
Jan 1982 - PresentStone Soup Consulting
Direct both established and "occasional" choirs and vocal ensembles. Currently directing the Pittsburgh Threshold Choir, a group of women who sing at the bedsides of people who are very ill or dying, as well as the Pittsburgh Men's Threshold Singers
Education
Choral Music
Jul 2013 - Jul 2013Melodious Accord Fellowship (Alice Parker)
Languages
French
Limited Proficiency
Certifications
2019 Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion
Jun 2019Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
Awards
2019 Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion
Jun 2019Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
Finalist, 2018 Neotraditional Band Competition
Jul 2018Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop)
2017 International Autoharp Champion
Sep 2017Walnut Valley Festival Association
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