Lessons
2011-2012 Update:I have an opening on Tuesday afternoons, but all other times are currently filled.I offer private one-on-one piano and voice lessons for children and adults at my home studio. Parents and siblings are welcome to wait in our sitting room, or to run errands during their child's lesson.
If you are a new/prospective student, I will set up a meeting with you to discuss goals, philosophy, policies, why you are are transferring (if applicable), and generally get to know one another and make sure we are the right fit before enrolling. I do not offer sample or trial lessons, as it is impossible to judge from one lesson any given student's interest, ability, or practice commitment level. If you are interested in piano or voice lessons, please send me an email or call 603.686.3297 to set up an introductory meeting.
My home studio is located at 2 Brentwood Road, Exeter, NH 03833:
The links below lead to more detailed information.
Detailed information about lessons is provided below. Prospective and current students and parents should be familiar with What's Expected and the policies & contract.
Philosophy
I am passionate about and dedicated to a dynamic, caring, positive learning environment. My teaching style and personality have been described by parents and colleagues as energetic, enthusiastic, kind, gentle and patient. I firmly believe that every student-teacher relationship is unique, and therefore it is crucial to find a teacher with whom you are comfortable, yet whom you respect. In my experience as a student and teacher of music and as a parent, I've found that the right fit is a prerequisite to learning. I care about each student as an individual and seek to nurture that relationship as well as with their family. I do not adhere to any one method or book for teaching because all students have different interests and unique learning styles. I believe lessons should be fun but challenging, and I expect the best efforts from my students.What's Involved
At each lesson you will be playing on (or accompanied by) my Kawai GM-10K baby grand piano which is regularly tuned and maintained. Lessons are either 30 minutes (recommended for beginners) or an hour long. I incorporate performance, technique and theory in the span of the lesson, as well as ear training and focused listening. For younger students, I also weave in eurhythmics, or movement to music, to increase the fun factor and to solidify musical concepts that they can then apply to piano play.In terms of repertoire learned, I try to provide a wide range of musical styles, from classical to folk to jazz to pop/contemporary, not only to keep my student's interest alive but to expose them to all musical genres. Using my iPod and in-studio TV, I give students the opportunity to hear and see the music come alive via orchestra, band or choir, or a solo pianist or singer.
I select materials for each student based on their level and individual needs. Materials are not included in the tuition. For piano students, I use books that are nationally recognized by professional music educators, but because every student has a unique need I do not adhere to any one particular method. I emphasize intervalic reading of notes, in addition to learning the specific names of all the pitches in both clefs, at the same time. I also stress rhythm, theory and sight playing. It’s important to develop technique from the very beginning, so I make sure every student does finger builders from the Dozen A Day series, as well as scales, arpeggios and cadences. I avoid what is called position playing (widely used by Faber, Bastien and Alfred), because children who learn using these methods cannot read music effectively. Students who were previously taught using this method have to be re-taught note-reading in order to progress. Required materials include assigned books, a metronome, and a full-length keyboard or, preferably, an in-tune, functional piano. Students must be 6 years of age or older to begin traditional piano lessons.
For voice students, I notate warm-ups and vocalises which are taken home for practice each week, and we also work out of sight-singing books to improve overall musicianship. We generally work on repertoire from a classical songbook and a musical theatre songbook, supplemented by folk, popular and sacred songs. We cover all areas of vocal study, including but not limited to breathing and air support, vocal production and health, posture, pitch, rhythm, sight singing, diction, and stage presence. Required materials include a pitch pipe (or keyboard, piano, or other means of creating a pitch) and a metronome. Students must be 12 years of age or older to begin formal voice study.
I also supplement these materials with songs my students like or suggest, sheet music not in the books, and duets for my student and I to play or sing together. In addition, using notation software, I regularly arrange songs on my computer to match a student's particular ability level.
What's Expected
Learning an instrument or voice is a joy and a responsibility, so I expect students and parents to treat lessons as a priority, and to commit to at least a school year.I expect my students to practice at least four times a week and do their written theory work as assigned; this makes each new lesson more enjoyable and worth the time and money invested.
For more details on what is expected, please see my lesson Policies & Contract. I require all students and parents to read, agree to and sign this document prior to beginning lessons with me.
