Piano with Margaret O.

I have taught the piano along with guitar and voice for over 40 years, since I was 16 years old. I started lessons at 9 and continued lessons while I began teaching beginners at a music studio. Since then I have had many different experiences with all kinds of students. I love sharing the gift of music with my students. My goal is to give them a wonderful musical experience and allow them to expand their knowledge of music in a structured manner and can grow to become a casual or professional musician. *** Lesson Details *** I adjust my teaching style to the students goals. I like to say I am laid back but do expect progress each week. I can teach the piano for beginner to advanced students. Some students are college bound and need to learn the disciplines of music. Other students just want to learn to play for enjoyment. My main goal to to keep them interested and practicing. I use a composite of different methods depending on the students goals. I have found that each publisher of method books focus on different styles of music. Over the years I have picked the best of each one and we will use the best of the best. I also have edited music for students over the years and have a wide collection of supplemental music. As an example I love Disney music and a beginner after 3 months they will be learning "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. I can teach beginning Guitar students. My specialty is teaching to read "real" music as opposed to tab. Beginners need lots of TLC with the guitar because of the length of time it takes to make "good" sounds of the guitar. Learning good technique in a fun way is essential for good student progress. Also I can teach beginning-intermediate vocal lessons. My main focus is developing proper vocal technique with vocal exercises and breathing techniques and still making it interesting and fun. With all of this, i also teach music theory. Whether by itself or along with instrumental lessons, music theory is an essential for all musicians. Music theory is the how and why of everything we do in music. *** Studio Equipment *** I currently have a baby grand, a spinet piano, 16 track sequencer, performance digital piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, flute, music stands and keyboard stands. *** Specialties *** For the piano I use a mixed method of teaching depending on the students goals. I have used Schaum, Faber, Alfred, Thompson and Bastien. I also use Hannon for advanced students and Duvornoy, Alfred and other types of pedagogy for technique and exercises. I have also edited many pieces of music for early beginners to have fun with. Disney is my favorite. I use these supplemental pieces along with the method books to keep their interest in practicing.