Music Theory with Dave L.

I’ve always had a deep interest in music. I began to study percussion and the drum set in elementary school and continued through college. In middle school and high school, I played the drums in the marching band, jazz band, and concert bands. I also began to learn piano, guitar, and music theory through taking music classes. As an undergraduate at Boston University, I took classes in music theory, music history, keyboard skills, ear training, and sight singing. I also participated in various jazz ensembles, playing both the drums and tenor saxophone. During this period, I switched my focus from drumming to saxophone and piano. After graduating from college, I played with various ensembles, practiced a lot, and took private lessons. I also took some additional classes in music theory and conducting at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. After taking piano lessons for a few years from a number of different teachers, I was very fortunate to meet and begin to study with world-class pianist and teacher Seymour Bernstein in New York City. Seymour is a professor at New York University. He is the author of numerous music-related and teaching materials, including With Your Own Two Hands (1981) and 20 Lessons in Keyboard Choreography (1991). He is also the subject of the critically acclaimed 2014 documentary directed by Ethan Hawke, Seymour: An Introduction. I have been studying with Seymour for about 6 years now. I have learned so much from him about piano technique, the classical repertoire, interpreting written music, and piano playing in general. It’s always gratifying to pass along what I’ve learned from Seymour and my other teachers.