Piano with Sandy L.

Greetings! My name is Sandy and I'm currently teaching piano in Brookline, Massachusetts. I have a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music as well as a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London. I have performed in solo and chamber venues ranging from New York, California, Taiwan, Italy, United Kingdom, and France. And with it all, I wish to continue to spread music around the world. I have been pursuing music for the last 20 years and I've taught children and adult alike. Coming from a conservatory background and experiencing a variety of teachers, I deeply understand the struggles, amount of patience, and constant hard work that comes with learning music. Consequently, I am able to provide exciting experiences that will allow you to grow and perform in a fun and invigorating environment! And together, we can make wonderful music! *** Lesson Details *** It's important to understand that every student is different; hence every lesson varies. But every lesson should be interesting yet relaxed, challenging yet stress free . It's a time to make and enjoy music! For beginners: especially children: I recommend starting with just getting to know the piano, such as there are black keys and white keys. I would have the students make sounds of their own wishes on the piano while I help them maneuver around the keyboard. Along with the Faber books of technique and performance, I would add on little popular songs such as "twinkle twinkle little stars" and "Mary had A little Lamb" so that the students can relate to the songs and yet learn how to play it at the same time. I would also incorporate different memory games along with rhythm games to help the young students get acquainted. I also promote students practicing away from the piano, such as moving your five fingers together and in contrary motion at the desk. Or perhaps, practicing rhythms with friends and family. All to make this learning process more communal and interesting! For intermediate students, I would like to improve whatever the student has already, whether it is technique, musicality, or rhythm. For intermediate students, I believe in the training through Clementi, J.S. Bach, Haydn, Chopin, Schubert, and Mozart. Along with popular tunes, such as Taylor Swift or any popular artists the student wishes, because it can help in areas such as rhythm and flow. I believe in the combination of two different genres to bring the overall piano education to a max. I also recommend playing four hands and two piano pieces, to bring forth the sense of chamber musicianship and pacing. As homework, there will be more practicing done at the piano, but still some such as trills that can be done anywhere, whether you're eating or watching tv! For advanced students, I would expand their repertoire to include works by Beethoven, Schumann, Copland, Albeniz, Debussy, Ravel, and Liszt, among others. At the same time, I would ask the students to bring in any pieces they would like to play, so it's not just about doing what I want. I would also host performances for these students so they can play for and with each other and be comfortable in performing in a friendly environment. I would hope for these advanced students to be able to pass on the passion and beauty of music. A Beginner student shall be able to play beyond the fundamentals. An intermediate student will be able to show command the difficulties of being a chamber musician along with a solo pianist. And an advanced student will be able to perform an entire recital by themselves. Of course, all these outcomes are the result of handwork, practice, and diligence. Nevertheless, I am here to help you achieve these goals, with methods that are exciting and fun! This is not to say that I am not willing to teach whatever you might want to bring! If you have a piece that you would like to learn, it would be my pleasure to walk you through it, whether it be pop song, jazz, or classical. The point is to have fun and learn! *** Studio Equipment *** lessons in living room *** Travel Equipment *** I can drive to the student's house, granted that the student has a piano there. *** Specialties *** I specialize in teaching classical piano with composers such as J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Ravel, and Debussy. For children, I like the methods that involve little flashcards that will allow them to learn the different rhythms and notes, but in a game style. Along with that, I like to teach them to learn how to sing along with playing -- I think it helps out musicality along with familiarity. I also think that not having children sit at the piano for long periods of time is a good thing -- I could have them tap out certain rhythms standing up; or I could have them mimic me. I believe all these will help the child learn faster and much at ease. For young adults, I would also encourage repertoire that includes modern day songs or film music, since it would be well-known and students would be able to learn easily. It would not only bring pleasure to the student, it will also help train a person's ears and its attentiveness to the music.