Throughout my decades as a performer, I have never stopped teaching students of all ages. I am a believer of making learning fun for the student, and helping them achieve their individual goals with music that they are passionate about. I have taught children and adults of all ages and levels, from beginning piano and voice, to professional opera singers polishing a role to debut at the Metropolitan Opera. I bring my students the tools to use in their everyday practice and in performance. As the conductor for Jackie Evancho, I am also a specialist in the crossover style. And as a father of two (my son is 7 and my daughter is 9), I am highly sensitive to how important it is to make a child's beginning instruction fun, rewarding, and motivational.
Methods Used:
I tailor-make lesson plans for each student, depending on his or her interests, musical experience and level, and personality. I teach a broad range of styles, including jazz, rock, pop, and classical, and the student will work on these styles by using a combination of reading music and improvisation by ear, all from a solid technical foundation. I produce recitals for my students twice and year, and find appropriate performance and competition opportunities for them. I am passionate about providing these experiences for my students, and making sure they are reaching their individual goals as musicians.
The foundations of my teaching philosophy are:
- Develop life-long appreciation and love of music in my students.
- Help students discover personal rewards in music study and find enjoyment in music-making.
- Teach students how to learn.
- Establish solid technical foundation and sound musicianship.
- Every student is unique. My teaching style, curriculum, and approach are flexible and varied in order to suit the individual student's abilities, needs, and interests.
