“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
--Confucius
The goal of my teaching is to help develop in each student his or her potential as piano player, and to encourage a lifetime of music learning and enjoyment. I teach a variety of music from the traditional piano repertoire, but I also encourage students to bring any other music of any genre and style that they would like to play.
Lessons
I offer in-person piano lessons at my studio in Mamaroneck as well as online piano lessons (over Zoom or FaceTime) to school-age children and adults. For beginners and early intermediate piano students I suggest 45-minute weekly lessons. For late intermediate, early advanced, and students who are preparing for piano exams such as Royal Conservatory Music Development Program I suggest 60- or 75-minute weekly lessons.
Good sound and musical performance at the piano is a result of good technique and musical understanding. I help my students gain the appreciation of--and the ability to produce--beautiful sound by training them how to use their hands and their whole bodies correctly at the piano. Everything from body alignment to controlled relaxation of shoulder/arm/hand, to relaxed hand arch, fluid approach to the keyboard, and even the awareness of the bench height and distance affects the sound production. To further raise students’ awareness of how to approach the piano as a player I also teach them how the piano action and pedals work. In addition, I teach my students good balance and voicing, and how to shape musical phrases on the piano. I also work with my students on their sight reading skills.
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music theory and history
My lessons include instruction in music theory and history. This helps students understand what they are playing and what characterizes music of each style. I teach theory and history using workbooks and worksheets, various music games and flash cards, music apps on the iPad, and white board with music staff. Students love having piano lessons infused with this type of instruction because it adds interactivity, contextualizes concepts, and breaks the monotony of drill and repetition.
Technique
I regularly assign students scales and cadences--the building blocks of music--because that helps with piano technique and music learning in general, and sight reading and improvisation in particular. Internalizing patterns and gaining dexterity by practicing scales removes huge barriers to learning new pieces.
Repertoire
When I choose repertoire, I try to pick the style of the piece that I think a student will like, or I let the student choose the piece. If the student is preparing for an audition or event, such as NYSMTA District 4 piano events, NYSSMA Festival, or Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, certain pieces may be be required.
I have high expectations for my students--I expect consistent practice, attendance, and respect. In return I offer them my love of music, experience as performer, and my teaching skills, hoping to enrich their musical lives.
Performing
Performing is an important aspect of my piano studio because it boosts self-confidence and teaches commitment, perseverance, and endurance. Music is a performing art and an inherently social endeavor, and that means that you grow in your ability to express your musical ideas when you share them with others. That is why I encourage my students to perform at non-competitive and competitive events.
To prepare students for performing, we work on memorization techniques, talk about performance anxiety, and practice music performance etiquette--bowing, sitting at the piano, pausing between pieces, and receiving praise (or critique).