Piano Lessons & Classes in Briarcliff

King County areas.

I was eight years old when I started taking piano lessons in Tacoma, WA. When I was 12, I discovered that I had perfect pitch while playing church hymns with my dad. This ability has served me well on a number of occasions. I discontinued formal piano lessons when I started college, but I continued to play piano on a nearly daily basis from that point on, keeping my technical skills at a very advanced level. I played trumpet in school bands starting in the 5th grade, and switched to French Horn in the 8th grade. The appeal of the horn may have had something to do with its rich, warm sound, its intricacy and complexity, and the demands that it placed on me to play with a high degree of pitch accuracy. I loved the challenge of playing accurately on the horn then, and I still do. As a horn student, I have studied with Jacqueline Shannon, Kathy Farner, Kathy Colton, Lawrence Lowe, Elizabeth Ward, Jeff Snedeker, Rodger Burnett and Stacey Eliason. As a horn performer, I have played with community and regional professional orchestras in the Seattle area, Central Washington, Olympia, in the Tacoma Youth Symphony, and in numerous ensembles in college.

I have studied music at Tacoma Community College, Brigham Young University and Central Washington University. I received Bachelor of Arts in Music at Central Washington University. I plan on attending graduate school in the future, focusing on music composition and film composition, as well as French Horn and piano performance.

As a music composer, I have written works for many different ensembles, choral works, solo piano pieces, and works for solo instruments. I am drawn to rich harmonies and beautiful melodies, as well as interesting timbres and musical variety, in my own music and that of the music I listen to. I am easily able to visualize music in color, and I have a thorough understanding of how the elements of music combine together to affect emotions in listeners. This is one of the reasons that I am currently pursuing film and media composition.

As a student, teacher, performer and music composer, I know that there are countless musical topics that students are curious about. I feel that students should feel free to ask any question in the field of music, even if it may seem like a "dumb" question. I value the sincerity and passion for good music that so many students have. I will help you acquire the knowledge and skills that you need, so that you can see more clearly your own musical goals. Previous and current students I have, each have made improvements in their own playing and knowledge of music, some of whom have made vast improvements in their playing and knowledge of music.

As I have taught music privately for a little while now, and can reasonably compare how I teach with other instructors that I know well, I can say with certainty that there are at least a few areas of my teaching that are somewhat unique and highly beneficial for certain students, if not most students. I value ear training and using flashcards with beginner students quite a bit, and am fond of teaching not only the "nuts and bolts" of music, but also, how music "works", such that a student of mine can write their own music if they have the desire to do so. I also try to assign a wide variety of music for each student (which differs according to each student's musical interests, abilities, and areas of their playing that need to be improved), especially as they improve and approach the intermediate levels of playing. There are many reasons I do this, but for the student, it is very important that they do not feel particularly "bored" with the music they are playing. I also have found that students who have a more sensitive nature tend to be more comfortable with the way I teach, as I reserve higher, stricter expectations for more advanced, older students. I also try to always be as patient, kind, and considerate with every student as I can be. Lastly, I highly encourage questions and feedback at any time during a lesson, and I try to create an atmosphere where the student feels comfortable to do so.

I accept students from seven years old on up, but I prefer horn students to be at least ten years old before starting lessons, unless they have noticeably greater abilities to focus for a certain period of time than other children their age.

Employment and Musical Experience:

Transcription Work for David Templeton, Composer, 2010

Private Composition Instructor, January 2009-Present

Private Horn Instructor, January 2009-Present

Private Piano Instructor, Fall 2006-Spring 2007, January 2009-Present

Summer Camp Counselor: Lutheran Summer Music, Summer 2006

Principal Horn: Ensign Symphony Orchestra, December 2014

Second Horn: Thalia Symphony Orchestra, 2016-present

Fourth Horn: Olympia Symphony, September 2012

Third Horn: Mid-Columbia Symphony, February-May 2007

Second Horn: Washington East Opera, Barber of Seville, January 2006

Substitute Third Horn: Yakima Symphony, Winter 2006

Third/Fourth Horn: Wenatchee Symphony, Fall 2005

Substitute Horn: Leavenworth Summer Music Theater: Summer 2005

1st Horn: Shoreline Community Church, Christmas 2004

Principal Horn: Central Washington University Symphony, Chamber Orchestras

Principal Horn: Central Washington University Wind Ensemble

Finalist, Northwest Horn Workshop Mock Auditions, March 2005

Education:

Graduate, Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program

Post-Baccalaureate Music Education Courses: Central Washington University, 2006-2007

Bachelor of Arts in Music: Central Washington University, Summer 2006

Associate of Arts and Sciences: Tacoma Community College, Fall 2002

Other:

Eagle Scout

Served 2 Year Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Music Composer/Arranger

*** Lesson Details ***
I have always wanted people I interact with to be, as a general rule, comfortable and relaxed in any setting. This certainly applies to the students I teach. However, students can expect that musical improvement will only occur through daily practice and constant effort. That being said, I am more interested in helping students overcome any difficulties in this area through reviewing their own practice habits and motivations, rather than using harsh discipline. It is crucial that students see the connection between their own practicing and musical improvement. Once this occurs, they can take more responsibility for their own progress with that added awareness.

The material chosen for each student will vary considerably, depending on their current knowledge, experience and ability level, innate abilities, musical tastes and priorities. The progress that is made will, to a large extent, be determined by the student's practice habits and natural ability. However, over the course of a few months or so, students should see noticeable improvement in their own musical abilities, if they practice and pay attention during lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, music stand, computer/printer, metronome

*** Travel Equipment ***
-French Horn: pencil, mute, tuner/metronome, maintenance/cleaning supplies, some books depending on if it is a first lesson, etc. I bring my own horn, and expect the student to have their horn. I also expect them to have a music journal to use as a reference for practicing and keeping track of their progress. Occasionally, I will employ a recording device for the purpose of assessing personal teaching effectiveness, or for the student to evaluate their progress/record their practicing.
-Piano: Metronome, pencil, some books if it is a first lesson, music journal, possibly a recording device from time to time.
-Music Theory/Composition: Music paper, pencil, music journal.

*** Specialties ***
Regarding method of instruction/teaching style, I am student oriented, and tend to adapt to each student's personality and learning style. I tend to teach more in the classical genres, with some pop/film music thrown in for variety (from time to time). I prefer using the Bastian, Alfred, and/or John Thompson piano methods, and Pottag-Hovey, Maxime-Alphonse books, etc. for French Horn.

formal music training when I began to play the cello. From then on, I was hooked on the sound and I immersed myself in music as much as I could; performing, competing, working in as many musical groups and productions as possible (as both a vocalist and cellist), and even teaching.

I moved to Seattle in 2003 to study opera at Cornish College of the arts, only to later change my major to Jazz, and then again to Latin music studies. Since graduating from Cornish in 2007, with my Bachelor of Music degree, I have been actively and diligently working in the local music scene; performing and recording with artists and groups of many different styles. Everything from various Latin genres, to Rock, to R&B/Soul, to Hip Hop, and Jazz. Through my music, I aim to reach out to people of all cultures. I also aim to teach my own students with the hope that they too can discover the same continuous love of music that I have grown to feel (and still am growing to feel) over the years. :)

*** Studio Equipment ***
88 key piano, cello, various percussion instruments, guitars, ukulele, library, computer, lessons are given in a private studio.

*** Specialties ***
As far as voice goes, I teach all genres and styles but I personally specialize in the Latin genres. I teach all aspects of the music; rhythm, harmony, theory. I even teach performance; how to work with a band in real-time communication, song communication (or story telling as I like to call it), and developing ones own personal style. I believe that there is much more to singing than just vocal technique alone, so I believe in teaching musical fundamentals and functions so that my students will not only be considered vocalists, but competent musicians.

king Suzuki piano lessons when I was 5 and quickly fell in love with the piano. Since the Suzuki method incorporates such thorough ear-training and the ability to play without sheet music, I quickly began to explore my creative side and was improvising on the piano by age 7. Naturally, this led to composition! Music was flowing through me, and I was able to both improvise and compose my inspirations on the piano. I entered and placed in the Reflections state composition contest each year. Throughout my youth, I was also very involved with the band (played trumpet), dance, drama and attended many symphonies, ballets, plays and operas - giving me a well-rounded artistic upbringing.

I pursued my passion and earned a Bachelor's degree in music composition from Mills College, followed by a Master's degree in music composition from the renowned California Institute of the Arts. My thorough education has taught me to compose for any instrument or ensemble as well as compose for film, dance, and theater. It has also taught me to understand the piano in-depth, along with theory and ear-training. Since graduating in 2006, I have scored several films, received commissions to compose for ensembles and musicians, and taught both composition and piano lessons. I also created an ensemble named SIRËoNa that I composed for, managed, and performed piano, percussion, and indigenous flutes in, and I was interviewed and featured on NPR along with local radio stations and newspapers. I have produced two CD's. Most recently, I composed a score for a silent film, premiering live with the Seattle Jazz Ensemble as part of the moisture festival in Seattle.

Do you want to learn to sit at any piano and simply play what you feel? Or turn that tune running through your head into a song that you or others can perform? Or to master every detail of a piece of music so that you can express it exactly as the composer intended? I can teach you! I encourage all ages and backgrounds to explore their creative musical passions and discover the endless possibilities of piano performance and music composition!

*** Lesson Details ***
When teaching piano, I take a similar approach to the Suzuki method. But instead of teaching from the Suzuki books, I teach my own composed exercises and pieces that I believe are more fun and accessible to today's student of any age! I create MP3 recordings of each exercise and have students listen to and memorize the exercises in their own time.This is a very important aspect of my lessons that thoroughly develops the ear - giving the student the ability to play the exercise from memory and to deeply understand the connection between their actions and the resulting sound.

I develop my exercises to progress each student through an increasing degree of technique difficulty and musical parameters - such as rhythm, melody, chords, harmony, key and range. Beginning exercises will isolate a specific musical parameter to bring thorough understanding of its possibilities, while advanced exercises and pieces will work on coordinating multiple parameters and techniques at the same time. Within 6 months, a beginner piano student will have tackled and perfected simple yet fun exercises that incorporate each major musical parameter, as well as develop correct posture and finger technique, and have developed some ear training and basic music theory skills. I also have my students do creative exercises, which develop more thorough ear training and the ability to eventually improvise and compose on the piano. More advanced piano students will perfect their ability to interpret and express each piece of music that they play and will receive thorough ear training, music theory lessons, and develop their creative abilities through piano improvisation and composition. Once they have tackled the fundamentals, intermediate and advanced piano students will learn the classics as well.

Along with piano lessons, I'm also highly qualified to teach music composition - including beginning to advanced composition, music theory, composing for any instrument or ensemble, Sibelius computer notation program, film scoring, and orchestration.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Private room, desk, professional digital piano - 88 keys fully weighted, piano bench. 2 professional cameras and iMac computer for online lessons. Percussion instruments for young students. Sibelius for composition students... Parents can sit in.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to have their own piano or keyboard when having a lesson in their home.

*** Specialties ***
Piano, Composition, Suzuki method, Classical, Contemporary, Ear Training, Memory Training, Piano Improvisation, Music Theory, Piano Ergonomics, In-depth Holistic Approach, Music History, Rhythm and Percussion. Success in teaching ages 3 and up, all backgrounds and ages.

have a strong classical background so I enjoy teaching all my students, even as young as 4 to learn about and play classical pieces (e.g. Beethoven, Bach, Mozart). Since my vocal involvement has allowed me to participate in school, church and community music groups and singing solo, I have a strong background in pianist accompaniment which is a unique skill that every piano musician should master. This creates a well rounded approach so that the pianist can participate and showcase their talent in various ways. I like to teach students to play beyond what is in the written page, and to develop a musical ear through improvisation and memorization. My students have the opportunity to play in optional recitals with other students and for family.

nd consideration. Proper hydration is essential. They are also muscles that need strengthening exercises and time for them to change. This will improve your vocal endurance and range. As a highly trained voice teacher, I can hear if the vocal folds are behaving in a healthy and efficient manner. It is essential that your teacher understand how to care for these delicate components of the human voice.

* Vocal resonance is how opera singers are heard without amplification. It can be enhanced through awareness and coordination of the various portions of the vocal tract. Using this natural resonance will make singing in any style more comfortable.

*The most important part of the singing is emotion. Anyone can sing words, but if you don't know what they mean or how to express them they become nothing but white noise.

*Selecting the perfect songs for your age, voice type, skill level, and interest is really important. I will help guide you in finding the right choices for you.

PIANO LESSONS
*Alignment is the basis a great technique. Each person is different, and knowing how to help them release unwanted tension is critical.

*Building hand coordination is essential to playing piano. A variety of agility and strengthening exercises will help you gain greater control and comfort in playing.

*Articulation and phrasing is how pianists convey emotion. By Understanding the different colors available, a performer can create a dynamic and moving experience.

*Selecting songs for your skill level and interest is important. Playing music you love will make your experience more enjoyable.

ning.

I've taught students of all ages. I personally handpick the materials for my students based on their personalities and learning needs.

Recently moved to Shoreline,WA and ready to take new students!

If you're serious about enriching your life or the life of your child, I’d love to get in touch with you! :)

thy life balance!