Sam Post

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Introduction: I'm a conservatory trained musician with over ten years teaching experience at Levine Music, and before that, the Connecticut and Westport Schools of Music. I combine the rigorous methods of traditional instruction with studies in listening, improvisation and composition where appropriate. I'm an active performer, composer and writer, so you'll be studying with someone who's work is evolving with the world of music today. I've studied pedagogy for piano at Northwestern, Yale, and with my lifelong teacher and mentor, master Levine teacher Irena Orlov. I've played with some of the masters (see my video with Yo-Yo Ma and Renee Fleming from the Kennedy Center on my media page), but I'm also deeply invested in music education too. Though my own education served me well, I'm also ready to step outside the traditional bounds when necessary and provide an even better creative experience for my students. I love sharing the gift of music with my students and unlocking their creative powers!

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5.0

2 reviews

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Julie L.

May 26, 2016

We have been working with Sam for almost a year now. My two children (ages 6 and 8) delight in working with Sam. They look forward to piano lessons and never complain about having to go. Having started the violin at a young age and continuing to play into my adult years, I am very particular about how my children are trained musically and had very specific ideas about how I wanted them to learn music. I knew that I wanted a teacher who focused on the whole child and not just the technique of playing. From the first time we met with Sam, I knew that he was exactly the teacher that I was looking for. Sam trains the kids to be musicians, not just pianists. He focus on training the ear and composition as well as piano technique. And somehow he manages to do all of this in an extremely approachable and engaging way, even for the very youngest of players. His approach is unique in that it does not only work with notes, but also distinguishing major and minor, ear training, and composition. In fact, he routinely composes small pieces with the kids that they then continue to practice and add to. Sam is also a very engaged teacher. He is completely focused on the child and the lesson and he is acutely aware of the kid's interest level. If there is a weakness or he senses that the child is losing focus, he is able to very adeptly adapt the lesson to bring the child back into the fold. For instance, if he senses that my son is starting to drift, he quickly switches gears and plays an ear-training game or rhythm exercise to get the child interacting again. And, although my kids are very young and still learning the very basics of piano playing, Sam is great at incorporating musicality to the lesson. My daughter is 8 and although she is just starting out -- she has been playing for about a month or so -- he has had her really listen to the pieces she is working on and make decisions about phrasing and tone. I am of the belief that music is very much a joint venture between the teacher and the parents. What is taught at lessons should be reinforced at home. Sam is great at communicating to me how my kids should be practicing and what areas need particular focus. He is also great at tailoring the curriculum to the child and maintains flexibility so that the curriculum is always dynamic. On a personal note, I am thrilled to have a young, male role model for my boys who is a successful musician but also pursues a variety of other interests as well. Sam is very easy to schedule with and he is very responsive. We are really happy with how the kids are progressing with Sam and I really feel that they are getting the best musical education. He is a real treasure and we consider ourselves lucky to have gotten in with him!

E. B.

Jun 20, 2016

Is there a serious musician who is patient enough to teach amateur adult students? Is there a good piano teacher who is at the same time a great concert pianist? Even if somebody is an excellent pianist and good teacher, can he compose? Or, can he understand kinetic aspect of human muscles because he is a sportsman himself? Surprisingly, Sam is this miraculous teacher combined all these aspects. When you do not play well, other teachers tend to think you are short of practice or simply not good, but Sam shows step by step clear method how to be able to play. He uses practical method how to develop your skill by moving fingers, joints, wrists, hands and elbows. He helps you to listen carefully all inner voices and to play each part distinctively. Even most clumsy students can play Bach polyphony if they follow Sam’s instruction. He has high standard in piano and encourages you to play real music, not just notes. I have been studying with him three years and never imagined I could play piano like now! My understanding of music heightens too. --Adult student--

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Samuel Post

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What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Yes. Currently I charge $90 for hour-long lessons, or $70 for 45 minutes. These prices are higher than others I've found on the site, but keep in mind, you're paying for the best!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We'll have a free interview to get to know each other, talk about goals and expectations and my methods and philosophy as a teacher.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I incorporate a diversity of education into my teaching! My undergraduate degree is actually in physics (from Yale), and my master's degree in piano from Northwestern. I am well-versed in the psychology of teaching and education, and have learned most of what I know about technical development from my own former teacher, DC area legend (in the piano lessons-realm) Irena Orlov. She even has a Wikipedia page!

Sam Post

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