Piano with Lark S.

I absolutely love music and teaching it to others! Having studied both clarinet and piano at the University of Georgia, I am patient and encouraging with both children and adults. I have taught piano, clarinet, and alto saxophone for several years and have children of my own; so I understand that each person is an individual and has different needs and strengths. I am also the Beginning Band Director with the Athens Area Homeschool Band and assist with solo festivals and auditions and have played with the Gwinnett Community Band. I enjoy teaching beginning students as well as more advanced students. It is such a huge joy to see a student grow in their understanding of music and gain the confidence that comes with it! *** Lesson Details *** Please note that weekly lessons are recommended for all students. Lessons typically last for a half hour, possibly longer for more advanced students or adults. Also, it is expected for all students to practice throughout the week, therefore it is essential that each student has an instrument before beginning lessons. For my young beginning pianists, I use the Bastien method books which start with being able to identify the notes and keys on the piano and then move to reading music on the staff. I am very patient and encouraging with young students. My goal is for them to be able to identify the notes on the keyboard, find the correct hand position, and play a few simple songs within two to three months. After six months, they will be playing songs while reading notes on the staff. They may also participate in the Spring Recital and Christmas Recital. *Please note, that I expect all beginners to have a piano or keyboard to practice on before beginning lessons. (Please look under Studio Equipment to see details and suggestions.) For my adult beginning pianists, I use a lesson series by Alfred which combines music theory with the lesson songs and exercises. At the beginning they jump right into reading music, and within three months, the student will be able to play some nice songs. After six months, basic chords will have been introduced and they will be able play more complicated songs. For my more advanced piano students, I use the Faber lesson series. With all students, I include music theory in each lesson, but the Faber series goes into more depth. It also covers a variety of music genres, including ragtime, jazz and classical. Also, depending on the individual, I will begin to incorporate some classical pieces as soon as they are ready. I'm always open to knowing what a student likes and pursuing songs that they will enjoy playing, particularly as they become more accomplished! With my clarinet and alto saxophone students, I focus on scales and arpeggios, help them with songs that they are working on in band, and provide supplemental exercises, duets, or solos for them to play. I also help prepare students for middle school and high school district and all-state auditions by working on the scales, etudes, and sight reading and encourage them to participate in the Spring Music Recital. *** Studio Equipment *** I have a piano, keyboard, clarinet, and alto saxophone that I use for teaching, but I expect my students to have their own instrument before beginning lessons. A keyboard is fine for beginning piano students; it is not necessary to have a piano. I will be happy to recommend models and brands of keyboards to new piano students. Keyboards need to have full size keys and be 'touch sensitive' or have the 'grand piano touch', meaning how hard you press the keys will determine how loud it will sound. Some Yamaha models I recommend are: PSR E333, PSR E423, YPG 235, and EZ 220. *** Specialties *** I use Bastien piano method books with my younger (early elementary) piano students, and prefer the Faber piano method series with my older piano students (upper elementary through high school) which includes a variety of songs, ear training, transposing, and more music theory. With advanced piano students, I primarily focus on a variety of Classical music in addition to songs that may be of interest to them. With my adult piano students, I use the Alfred adult series which contains popular and classical songs that they may be familiar with. Each method includes music theory. I prefer teaching piano from first grade and up through adults, but have taught some five year old students as well. I am familiar with the "Essential Elements" and "Standard of Excellence" method series for both clarinet and saxophone. I teach beginning to advanced clarinet and beginning to intermediate alto saxophone. I am classically trained on the clarinet although I enjoy playing and teaching a variety of genres.