General Info

How I teach children: *A select few take a traditional path of classical training with a well-rounded approach to technique, repertoire, theory, ear-training, improvisation, analysis, composition, and history. *Most, at the option of the parent, take a gentler path through pieces and songs that they know from school or home or from their iPods. These pieces are arranged to fit their current abilities with just enough challenge to pull them forward. My ideal is not to shape them to some pre-conceived model pianist, but rather to create for them an individual style most suited to their temperament and lifestyle. This might be popular music or spiritual or classical favorites. Ideally a gradual spreading out of their musical taste will occur within a small compass as their aptitude and attitude permits...always with the focus on keeping it enjoyable at all times. *I have also had experience working with children with special needs; often theses kids love their music lessons even more than other kids. My adult students come from all walks of life and all levels of experience in music. *A great many have learned piano as kids, quit and have wanted for years to get it back into their lives. *Others have always wanted to play and it's now or never. *Again, a select few very advanced pianists simply want a coach to compare notes on interpretive questions or to discuss the real subtleties of music.