Teaching Philosophy

To that end, helping students develop an intrinsic motivation built upon a love for music and excitement to share it with others is a priority. Lessons aim at preparing classical repertoire for performance by giving students the tools they need to be both knowledgable (regarding the background of their repertoire, technical skills, theory, and performance traditions and practice) and independent (able to practice effectively, develop mature expressivity, individual tastes, and aptitude in convincing and individual score interpretation). 

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Beginner students are taught using the Piano Adventures curriculum, an effective and engaging curriculum with tailored paths for young children, older children, and adults. Once students reach level 3A/3B, they are transitioned to other resources. (However, please note that I am not currently accepting beginner students.)

 

For early intermediate students, technique, sight-reading, and theory are taught using Fingerpower, Czerny, Hanon, etude books, Paul Harris exercises, and original resources.  The Wiener Urtext Primo edition is used for Baroque, Classical, and Romantic era repertoire in addition to the Alfred anthology for 20th century music.  Theory is taught with the goal of independent analysis skills and creative implementation.

 

For all unabridged repertoire, urtext/critical scholarly editions of Baroque to Romantic works are used (ex. Le Pupitre, Henle, NBA, Chopin National, EMB, Wiener Urtext) with additional reference to performer editions (ex: Paderewski, Schnable). Advanced students begin to learn virtuosic etudes and concerti as a part of their regular curriculum. Students also prepare 21st century repertoire and repertoire by a diverse array of other non-European or lesser-known composers.

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All students are given a well-rounded musical education including the following:

• Performance opportunities (student recitals twice yearly, at no cost)

• Varied and diverse classical repertoire (Baroque-21st Century)

• Practicing principles of virtuosic technique from the start (including technical exercises)

• Music listening to encourage the development of a robust musical intuition

• Learning principles of score interpretation

• Theory exercises as appropriate