Ryann Cooperwood

Hello my name is Ryann! I have been playing piano for the past 22 years of my life. I graduated from Valdosta State University with a bachelors degree in music with emphasis in classical piano. I have been teaching piano lessons from beginners to intermediates (kids and adults) for the past 11 years. I've worked for Fine Arts Matters, Musika, In Home Music Teachers and private lessons. These days I spend a lot of time writing music and learning Jazz, gospel and playing moderate music. 

My teaching style for adult beginners:  I like to introduce the Adult All in One Course book 1.  During the first lesson we establish consistency with proper posture, hand placement and  introduction to the C major scale. 

I incorporate the Brown Scale book for my students at the end of Adult All in one Course book 1.

If the adult student is familiar with coordination of both hands and progresses through book 1 quickly, I tend to introduce them to Adult All in One Course book 2 at a faster rate. 

I like to introduce students to Easy Classics to Modern volume 17 during this phase as well. 

I reserve Adult All in One Course 3 for adult students with at least 3 years of playing. 

For my younger students 6-11 years old I love to use the Boomwhacker sound tubes. They provide a fun interactive way for kids to learn pitch, C major scale, introduce intervals and triads.  

I use a variety of books for young beginners and try to calibrate the right book based on his or her ability to comprehend material. 

I like to use My First Piano Adventure first because I love the workbook that accompanies the song book. 

If the child is progressing quickly I will alternate between the beginner books and First Lessons in Bach.

There are a great variety of Minuets that are wonderful for versatility and mechanics. 

For my adult and child students that pick up material very quickly, I love to use Easy Classics to Modern volume 17.

There are a nice variety of songs with a range of difficulty.