Teaching Philosophy

I believe that students learn a great deal of music theory through various sources of technology in today’s world. However, they learn the art of  an instrument best through personal experience with the teacher. Since March 2020, I conduct one-on-one instruction both in-person and online.

My mission as a music educator is to inspire students to perform piano, organ and/or write music.

When I teach piano, I am always patient and encourage my students to learn harder materials. Once they reach a certain learning stage, I urge them to videotape themselves so they can evaluate their own progress and become independent thinkers. Once my students have learned to play the notes in rhythm correctly, I ensure that they perform each phrase as if they’re acting in a play. I ask them to conduct their own research on the composers of pieces they learn and come to the next lesson prepared to share all they know and to play with lots of sensitivity and expression. None of this can be achieved without having thoroughly memorized the music. When students can play without having to look at the score, it is therefore easier for them to own their pieces, and the notes will come to them as second nature.

My particular goal as a teacher is to expose my piano students to the fundamentals of music theory and introduce a variety of piano literature ranging from early elementary to advanced levels in all major and minor keys. My specialties include but are not limited to the list found in my Teaching Repertoire. I am also open to requests from other students.

The method books with which I introduce beginning students include Faber and Faber’s Piano Adventures, Catherine Rollin’s Pathways to Artistry, Lehrer and Sheftel’s Personal Trainer and The Robert Pace Keyboard Approach. To supplement with daily practicing (for more information, please click on the link to Studio Policy), I recommend that students play Music Ace, a computer software program designed to educate young learners to read music notation and feel rhythm.

If a student is able to express him or herself soulfully and show a profound understanding of his/her given piano piece, then my mission will be carried out successfully.