Piano with Debra L.

I love teaching and providing a supportive and creative environment where my students have fun learning to make music. I work with students at their own pace to make their musical experience both enjoyable and educational. My students look forward to their lessons, and our time together each week passes by quickly! I'm skilled in playing and teaching classical music as well as theater and pop repertoire for students of all ages. I enjoy working with young students who are beginners, and also with teens or adults who are “coming back” to piano, or learning for the first time. I've developed a Pop-Piano Method based on learning chord structure and music theory for playing by “ear” for students with 2-3 years of piano or other musical instrument. In addition to teaching piano, I teach voice for all musical styles -- pop, jazz, rock, blues, country, R&B, musical theater, choral, and classical. I'm knowledgeable about vocal physiology and health, and effective in teaching everything from pitch correction to vocal health, relaxation and performance techniques for both on stage and in the recording studio … or the shower! I've worked with singers, from age 5 through 80, including teens and adults who love to sing country-pop-rock, who sing in choirs, or with bands; I coach teen and adult actors singing in high school productions and community theater (opera or musicals); I help choral singers with sight reading, and teach all singers how to use and think of their body as their instrument. Basic music training in reading notes, rhythm, pitch and ear training, familiarity with the piano/keyboard, are part of the vocal lesson. I present a number of performance opportunities for my students with recitals several times throughout the year. Students also have the opportunity to record at a professional recording studio, which shares the same facility where I have my teaching studio. As a performing singer-songwriter, I also teach songwriting, starting with young students to encourage creativity, and to teens and adults, who are interested in writing, performing and recording their own original songs. I also sing professionally performing jazz standards; as a background vocalist on CDs for recording artists; and play piano in a piano-flute instrumental duo for special events. I’m also a member of a talented contemporary worship band at my local church. I have a degree from West Chester University (West Chester, PA) with a concentration in piano pedagogy, and I take continuing education courses to stay current with the latest in piano teaching methods. I'm certified as a Voiceworks TM Associate for the Total Singer Method TM, and keep current in my own vocal studies and training. In addition to teaching voice and piano, I teach and facilitate regional songwriting workshops as part of an international songwriting association based in Nashville. *** Lesson Details *** I'm patient, encouraging and friendly, teaching piano and voice lessons, often integrating both into lessons for students interested in playing piano and singing. For piano beginners, I teach traditional methods using current books designed for steady advancement for sight reading notes, rhythm, performance technique, theory, and ear training. Students play songs from a variety of repertoire, including classical and popular songs. Students are also given opportunities to create their own songs, melodies, and to improvise. As students advance, they become involved in selecting repertoire they would like to play. I encourage students to learn classical music, along with popular songs they are interested in playing. After 2-3 years of lessons, I offer a Pop-Piano Method for playing by ear through knowledge of music theory and chord structure. For singing, I'm certified to teach the Total Singer TM method. From the first lesson we learn how to use the diaphragm and breath for instant results. From there we hone in on specific styles the student enjoys singing (country, musical theater, pop, classical, jazz, R&B, gospel) and learn the nuances of how to use our "toolbox", including jaw, tongue, larynx, and so on, to create the sound we want. Ear and pitch training and basic musical terms and concepts are part of each lesson. Students are involved in choosing repertoire. Students record their lessons to use for practice at home. For voice students who play the piano, I teach the Pop-Piano Method for Singers, where they learn to accompany themselves playing the piano by ear through knowledge of music theory and chord structure. *** Studio Equipment *** Acoustic upright studio grand, electric 88-weighted key Yamaha piano, CD player, laptop computer, microphone-amps, small stage area, recording mics-headphones direct to professional commercial recording studio *** Travel Equipment *** N/A *** Specialties *** Vocal - pitch correction and diaphragm technique for students of all ages Speaking Lessons - vocal techniques used in singing applied speaking safely without harming the voice -- have coached teachers, coaches, cheerleaders Piano- traditional lessons -- I keep current on pedagogical trends and repertoire Pop-Rock Keyboard- Piano-- Pop-rock style piano for playing keyboard in a band or for accompanying self singing favorite pop-rock songs by learning chord structure Songwriting- learn the essentials of writing lyrics and music for pop-country-rock songs. Great for the aspiring singer-songwriter.