Lessons

Piano.

Requirements: Ages 6+ and have completed Kindergarten. Have access to a touch sensitive keyboard with at least one pedal at home.

Piano lessons have been a timeless introduction to the world of music for kids for hundreds of years. I make sure kids have a positive piano experience above all else. Students who feel comfortable and confident learning not only stick with music longer, but never think they are “untalented” or “unmusical.”

Students younger than 13 start in Piano Lab-where kids work alone for part of the hour, and then together for the other part to learn musical terms, ear training, music theory and music history. Piano Lab students sign up for a weekly lab time, but can sign-up to attend any lab during the week if they have to miss their regular lab time. The focus of lab is getting a solid foundation prior to individual lessons and to develop practice habits. Most of my students like lab so much they ask to stay until high school!

Guitar & Ukulele.

Requirements: Ages 9+ and have completed third grade. Must have a properly fitted guitar or ukulele for home practice. Acoustic or classical guitars are preferred for building technical skills.

Guitar is the most popular instrument at the studio. Who doesn’t want to play along with their favorite style of music? I teach a variety of musical styles, genres and focus on helping students learn skills little by little to become well-rounded musicians.

Adults who are interested in learning guitar have their own curriculum that has been developed so they can gain the skills they need to be playing their favorite songs on their own within 1-2 years of lessons.

Ukulele is one of the easiest string instruments to learn! It’s perfect for beginners who want to eventually move to guitar or those who want a small portable instrument.

Percussion.

Requirements: Ages 10+ and in fourth grade. Kids who have completed the equivalent of Level 1 Faber in piano may start percussion before age 10. Drumset students must have home access to a drumset or practice kit.

Drumset and percussion lessons are tailored to whatever the student is looking to study. While many students choose to learn drumset, lessons are also available in concert percussion, marching percussion, marimba and vibraphone. Four-mallet percussion is a specialty of the studio.

Students who register for drumset lessons must have an instrument to practice on at home, no exceptions. Electronic kits and specialty “ultra-quiet” drum heads are great options for families looking to make drumset practice more practical. Students in drumset need sticks in size 5-7. Students will learn a variety of Drumset styles and genres, and techniques to gain independence and coordination of their hands and feet.

Because access to a marimba and vibraphone are uniquely more difficult and expensive than other instruments, mallet percussion students can “check-out” the studio room for practice sessions during the week while the studio is open.

Percussion can be one of the most complicated instrument families to study, but we make it fun and accessible here at the studio-as I am a primary percussionist!