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Piano with Steve S.

Nashville, Tennessee

4.7
(4)
OverviewAboutReviewsExperienceEducationAwardsAffiliationsLanguagesGallery
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 5+
Speaks English
Teaching since 2010
Music Theory/Music Composition

    About Steve S.

    4.7
    (4)
    Prior to moving to Nashville, I spent years as an instructor at the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy in Newburgh, NY, servicing not only students from the struggling local community, but also those traveling up to 40 minutes to see me for their weekly lesson. I began teaching group lessons, expanded to individual lessons, and my youthful, energetic personality soon had me handling upwards of 35 students per week spanning ages 6 to 45, ranging in abilities from "never touched an instrument before" to "starting to compose and perform original music," and including some children with special needs. My time at NPAA gave me great experience teaching students of all ages, abilities, and musical interests. Whether the student was just beginning, more advanced, interested in classical, intrigued by a more jazzy sound, starting to compose their own music, or some combination of it all, I always enjoyed the challenge of making the lesson fit the student, as opposed to necessarily fitting the student to the lesson. I take pride in approaching lessons as trying to achieve a balance of universal fundamentals and a student's personal music taste - whether it be rock, pop, jazz, classical, or another style - and I put a high premium on practicality. I'm a working musician, performer, and songwriter, so I know how what's being learned in the lesson and practiced at home directly relates to what being played out on the stage.

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teacher's Studio
    Teacher's Studio
    SEE MAP
    Twin Oaks Dr.
    Student's Home
    Student's Home
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    8 AM-2:30 PM
    Tuesday
    8 AM-9:30 AM
    1:30 PM-7 PM
    Wednesday
    8 AM-2:30 PM
    Thursday
    8 AM-9:30 AM
    1:30 PM-7 PM
    Friday
    8 AM-2:30 PM
    Saturday
    8 AM-2 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $30
    45 minutes
    $43
    60 minutes
    $55
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    75%
    4
    25%
    3
    0%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%
    4.7
    4 Reviews
    Joe H.
    Teacher's studio
    Steve has an excellent balance between a structured approach to songwriting and a spontaneous creative spark. Steve has the tools to convey the structure and inspire a similar spark in his students. He is a very gifted pianist as well. Highly recommended!
    Posted Mar 25, 2015
    Ben B.
    Teacher's studio
    Steve helped me learn Piano and eventually better my overall musicianship. Great Guy and a Great Teacher, I'd recommend him to anyone.
    Posted Mar 11, 2015
    Vince T.
    Teacher's studio
    Steve is a natural musician and his music flows best through the piano. He teaches more than just proper technique and how to read music, but also how to become a serious player with a core understanding of music theory and soul.
    Posted Mar 11, 2015
    1122Next >Next >

    Experience

    Keyboards/Background Vocals/Arranger

    Dec, 2014 - Present

    Bearing Torches

    My current band here in Nashville.

    Lead Singer/Keyboard/Horn Arranger

    Feb, 2011 - Aug, 2014

    In The Pocket

    My award-winning cover band, In The Pocket, performed throughout the Hudson Valley for 3.5 years at bars, festivals, weddings, private parties, and more. Our master setlist included Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Bruno Mars, The Police, Chicago, and well beyond. In addition to being lead singer and keyboardist for the band, I also handled a lot of the 2- and 4-piece horn arrangements for our horn section.

    Piano/Keyboard/Guitar Instructor

    Sep, 2010 - Aug, 2014

    Newburgh Performing Arts Academy

    I spent years as an instructor with the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy in Newburgh, NY, servicing not only students from the struggling local community, but also those traveling up to 40 minutes to see me for their weekly lesson. I began teaching group lessons, expanded to individual lessons, and my youthful, energetic personality soon resulted in many students requesting me at the beginning of each new school year. Before I knew it I was handling upwards of 35 students per week spanning ages 6 to 45, and ranging in abilities from "never touched an instrument before" to "starting to compose and perform original music."

    Trumpet

    May, 2009 - Aug, 2014

    Jazz Pioneers Big Band

    The 18-piece swing/jazz big band that I played with in New York's Hudson Valley. We played everything from Duke Ellington, to 'Dizzy' Gillespie, to Count Basie, to Louis Armstrong, to more contemporary arrangements like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

    Singer/Songwriter/Keyboard/Guitar/Trumpet/Arranger

    Dec, 2006 - Present

    Steve S.

    My personal projects, including two full-length albums and countless accompanying live shows.

    Education

    NYS Regents Diploma

    Sep, 1998 - Jun, 2002

    Poughkeepsie High School

    Music Theory/Music Composition

    Aug, 2002 - May, 2006

    State University of New York, College at Geneseo

    Awards

    Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

    Jun, 2002

    Poughkeepsie High School

    Showcase Performer

    Aug, 2014

    New York Songwriters Circle

    "Best of Hudson Valley" Best Local Musician

    Oct, 2013

    Hudson Valley Magazine

    Showcase Performer

    Oct, 2013

    New York Songwriters Circle

    2-time Semifinalist

    Sep, 2013

    Dallas Songwriters Association Annual Song Contest

    Honorable Mention

    Aug, 2013

    West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest

    Featured Performer

    Jul, 2013

    New York Songwriters Collective

    3-time Honorable Mention

    Jan, 2013

    SongDoor International Songwriting Competition

    Affiliations

    American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

    Aug, 2007

    The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 480,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.

    Languages

    English

    Native Proficiency

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