Piano with Steven N.

The piano has always been my greatest passion; I have never been able to imagine life without it. I was very fortunate to have had the benefit of a great education in music starting at an early age. My goal as pianist and teacher is to pass on the wisdom of my own teachers, as well as my enthusiasm for this great instrument and the rich repertoire of music written for it. I received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California, where I was a student of Daniel Pollack for 12 years. In order to become the best teacher possible, I minored in Music Education, gaining experience in the major theories of music pedagogy and teaching techniques. In teaching, I strive to create an optimal blend of old and new by combining the great and time-honored traditions of piano playing, as instilled in me through my piano studies, with recent discoveries and advents in the field of music pedagogy. My performing experiences have taken me across great distances in time and space, with performances in major halls across the globe, featuring music of over five centuries. I have commissioned new works and performed numerous premieres, and have also played music of the Renaissance and early Baroque on the Harpsichord. I have also accompanied singers and played chamber music extensively. *** Lesson Details *** Playing the piano is a journey of discovery and joy that lasts a lifetime. The rewards of playing extend far beyond the piano, bearing dividends in all areas of music, as well as outside of music. Such important basic skills as concentration, tenacity, and delaying of gratification, are promoted from the outset of piano lessons, and are readily adaptable to other fields and challenges. At the same time, students of all levels, from 6 months of lessons to several years of experience, can develop and maintain a repertoire of pieces to present to family and friends, and to play for their own gratification and self-esteem. My guiding philosophy in teaching is that everyone can learn to play the piano with hard work and good training. Talent is neither necessary, nor sufficient in itself to produce great pianists. What will promote excellence in piano playing is a thorough and well-rounded grounding in the various aspects of music, including music theory, piano technique, music history, and repertoire-building. I teach these and many other components of music in all my lessons. I use method books with earlier level students and gradually incorporate works from the classical repertoire. I assign enjoyable, beneficial music theory projects, rhythmic exercises, and teach pieces of differing genres, styles, and demands to keep lessons varied and interesting. Several times a year, our hard work is shared with others at student recitals, where family and strangers alike join students in the joy of music and the piano. *** Studio Equipment *** The teacher's home studio includes a large studio space with 2 grand pianos side by side so the student learn by example where applicable. Seating is also available for family and guests. There is also a warm up studio room for students that arrive early and are waiting to start their lesson. *** Travel Equipment *** Students will need access to a piano or keyboard for regular practicing. *** Specialties *** Piano technique, classical piano repertoire, music theory and aural skills, musicology, accompanying and chamber music.