Piano with Dyann A.

Overview: I strive for lessons that produce smiles and results! Lessons are not a one size fits all; instead I customize them to match age, musical background and experience. I work to get to know each student's level, needs and personal goals. My teaching philosophy emphasizes the study of musicianship together with proficiency on a particular instrument. My methods concentrate on development of the ears while simultaneously teaching technique enabling students to express and enjoy themselves. Introduction to different styles, ever important concepts of theory, harmony and harmonic rhythm, melodic improvisation, recording and composing extend my students’ musical acumen and enjoyment. Experience: I am a life-long Musician. I began piano at 5, completing my BA in Music (Magna cum laude) at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. I began playing guitar at 12; composing music in 8th grade, even composing chorale arrangements in Junior High where I also played upright bass and glockenspiel. I attended Garfield High School playing clarinet in jazz band. My first paid gig was at 12 - solo vocal and acoustic guitar. I kept incorporating new types of music; from acoustic folk, to amplified rock & pop, to jazz and blues. Working both solo and in groups, I offer valuable insight into the music business itself from booking to being a band leader, from publishing to promoting. I studied classical voice privately at the Paramount Theater in Seattle; traditional Afro-Cuban drum rhythms, learning to play conga drums and percussion. I began my music degree at Seattle Central Community College as a voice major, but finding I couldn't take theory and harmony classes, changed my major to applied piano. My 2nd year in college I attended Cornish School of Allied Arts and continued gigging. I completed my Bachelor at Berklee performing and teaching for 15 years in New England. With a strong interest in Musicology and Folklore, I founded the non-profit “MusicBox Project” which serves to document and preserve music history while furthering education, creation and performance. I've continued to add to my list of musical endeavors: audio with recording using ProTools, music videos using Final Cut 7, including producing the feature length music documentary “Americana Women” out on DVD which highlights some of the 110 women musicians I've interviewed and recorded across the country for MusicBox Project. I sing, play acoustic and electric guitar, bottle-neck slide guitar, mountain dulcimer, Dobro, Dojo, ukulele and traditional claw hammer, including “Round Peak” and “Clawgrass” old-time banjo styles. I perform regularly with the roots group “The Shed Players.”