Lesson Feesfrom $25.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Hello, and thanks for checking out my profile! My passions in life are music and helping others. Teaching private lessons lets me do both. I love to see my students become better musicians and better people, working through the unique challenges and rewards musical training provides.
I've played music my entire life, starting with piano lessons at 7 years old. I became an award-winning Classical pianist, but also took up the guitar as a teenager. Ultimately, it was the guitar that I studied at Berklee College of Music; graduating with degrees in Performance and Music Business. I've studied and played most styles of music, and continue to challenge my own abilities as a composer and songwriter. I've taught piano and guitar to all ages and ability levels since 2009. When not teaching, I'm an active professional musician.
Some noteworthy awards:
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2017: Finalist, Enlightened Piano Radio Awards (performed at Grand Ole Opry)
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2017: Semi-Finalist, Solo Piano category, American Prize Competition
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2014: First Prize, Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar, Topanga Banjo/Fiddle Contest
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1998: Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
I believe in maintaining high standards, while keeping instruction rewarding and fun. Every student should achieve their own potential in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. I don't teach specific styles of music. Instead, I use established methods to build strong foundations in technique and theory. Pupils then apply these to any style of their choosing. My philosophy is “Instill the universal fundamentals so you can play whatever you want.”
I'm proud that many students, young and adult, have stayed with me for years. I've also had many parents bring children who had been through multiple teachers and were close to quitting music. I reviewed any fundamental skills they were lacking with patience and enthusiasm. Within a few weeks the parents reported their kids were finally enjoying themselves and making progress.
Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, 2004 • Bachelor of Music, cum laude • Double major in Guitar Performance and Music Business/Management
There are so many method books available for piano and guitar that it can become overwhelming. Ultimately, they're all teaching the same information, but these are my favorites: (1) For children and teenage beginners on piano I prefer Faber or Bastien. (2) For adult beginners on piano I like the Alfred and Bastien methods. (3) For all guitar students I generally use the Hal Leonard method and/or Basix Tab method. FJH is also very good. For those more interested in Classical guitar I like the Christopher Parkening method. Of course, these are only starting materials, and other music will be introduced depending on a student's individual goals and progress.