Hi everyone! I am a Brooklyn-based piano teacher, performer, and scholar with over a decade of teaching experience. I am equally at home working with children and adults, and at levels ranging from complete beginner to aspiring professional. I specialize in classical music, but also teach popular styles.
My lessons cover more than the basics of piano performance. I work with my students to create short and long term goals that cater to their individual interests. I believe that at any age the most capable pianists possess a wide variety of musical abilities, and so I also incorporate music theory, practice techniques, and sight reading skills.
I hold a PhD in Piano Performance from New York University, as well as a Masters of Music from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelors of Music from NYU. I am currently on faculty at SUNY New Paltz where I teach piano, music theory, music criticism, and music history. I am also a music critic for I Care if You Listen, an award-winning publication on contemporary music.
•• Lesson Plans ••
For beginner children, I use the Faber Piano Adventures series. I teach children as young as 4 years old. I create a personalized lesson plan for each student, so that we can celebrate their strengths while working on challenging areas. Some examples of individualized study include extra note reading practice with flash cards and games, improvisation and composition lessons, scales and finger exercises, and music theory/analysis.
For beginner adults, I use the Alfred Basic Adult Course. This accelerated method book helps us move quickly to learning about chords, melody and accompaniment, and enough music theory to play a variety of styles. I supplement this book with other musical interests of the student, such as pop/rock pieces, composition, music theory, etc.
For intermediate to advanced students, I generally work on several contrasting pieces at once. This could include pieces from different eras of classical music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, Contemporary) as well as other genres. I have helped students prepare for ABRSM and NYSMMA exams, auditions for performing arts high schools and college programs, and solo recitals.
•• Teaching Philosophy ••
When learning a piece, it's tempting to just get the notes and say "hey, I did it!" But this is only half the battle. What so many self-taught pianists miss out on is cultivating true musicality. I work with my students of all ages and levels to cultivate artistry through informed and personal interpretations of each piece we work on.
With my students I am always patient, kind, and encouraging. Mastering an instrument like the piano is a long journey; I see myself as a mentor and guide rather than a strict taskmaster. I meet students where they are, and keep in mind that everyone comes to the instrument with different experiences.
