David J. Gleba, Piano & Composition Lessons

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About

I really enjoy working with people and getting to know them.

Overview

Hired 11 times

Background checked

1 employee

52 years in business

Business hours

SunClosedMon3:00 pm - 3:00 am

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, and Zelle.

Social media

Facebook

Services offered

Musical style(s)

Bluegrass

Country

Folk

Pop

Work location

My customers travel to me

I travel to my customers

I work remotely (phone or internet)

Projects and media

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for responsiveness, professionalism, and work quality.

Exceptional 5.0

15 reviews

5

100%

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Read reviews that mention:

Cindy S.

Jun 21, 2019

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Hired on Thumbtack

I decided not to take lessons due to my budget but pricing was consistent with others. I personally appreciated the quick responses as I needed to make a decision for a gift. I hope it works out for us going with someone less expensive and with less experience. Based on my research, this was an obvious choice but I couldn’t afford it.

Details: 14 - 17 years old • Yes, the student can read music • 0 - 2 yrs of formal training • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a keyboard • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.

David J. Gleba, Piano & Composition Lessons's reply

Thank you, Cindy! I appreciate the appreciation, and wish you all the best!

Piano Lessons

Julie E.

Jun 26, 2019

•

Hired on Thumbtack

Soooo... this is an unorthodox review because we actually never scheduled a lesson with Dave, BUT every single iota of communication with him was completely fantastic. He was super speedy in his responsiveness, incredibly thoughtful and thorough AND hilarious as well as personable. I would be scheduling a lesson for my 8 year old with him YESTERDAY if he was within a reasonable distance. My only bone to pick is with the data search engine in Thumbtack. Dave’s name came up as someone who would travel to my home to teach piano and that’s not actually true. Sigh. I’m totally bummed to say the least. I hope someone else can benefit from the pleasure of his responsiveness, thoughtfulness, professionalism and expertise!

Details: 6 - 9 years old • No, the student cannot read music • No formal training • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has a piano • 30 minutes • My home, venue, etc.

David J. Gleba, Piano & Composition Lessons's reply

Thank you so much, Julie! I hope you find a great teacher (one who is also a personally personable person) for your son. I wish you all the best!

Piano Lessons

Zhuo L.

Apr 8, 2017

•

Hired on Thumbtack

Piano Lessons (for children or teenagers)

Matt T.

Dec 31, 2014

I met David in 1997. He was the piano accompanist for a violin recital at the Tabor Community Arts Center, formerly of Branford, CT. He rehearsed and accompanied me, as well as at least a dozen other Tabor violin students. I was so nervous as a teenage violin soloist, but Davids calm assurance and what I would come to see as his ever-ready sense of humor had an encouraging effect on me as a performer and put that smile on my face that we all look for in a great performer. Some time during a break from our rehearsal, I had discussed classical composers with David, and he had mentioned his compositions and his availability as a composing teacher. After our recital, I began weekly 60-minute lessons with David. He taught me harmony, counterpoint, and classical composition for a few years when I was a teenager. I played the violin and the guitar at the time. One of the main reasons that I was able to branch out, and to now play the violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, and the drums is the understanding of music theory and harmony that I learned studying with David. He is a very generous teacher. Often, in the midst of an important harmony lesson, we would not end abruptly when the hour was up, but rather, David would teach until the concept at hand was clear. Everything I learned from him about harmony and voice leading I continually use in my teaching, composing, and musical performance today. I eventually learned that David enjoyed discussing composers, classical composition, music in general, history, and many other topics, offering insight and a keen attention to detail that is inspiring. He is multi-lingual, and his through his teaching methods, I even picked up a little Latin and German. David is an impressive pianist. I will always recall how impressed I was when he played through a section of a Mozart piano concerto from memory when I asked him to play for me, his hands moving so elegantly all over his grand piano making this masterful piece appear easy. Not only was he a great composing teacher and pianist, but he also has served as a church organist and choir director, and recognizing that instrumentalists who play intonation instruments often have a good ear for singing in tune, he even hired me to sing for some productions of sacred music. These days, I am a working medical professional, but I am very glad I spent as much time and money as I did on Davids teaching. My musicianship was greatly enhanced through our studies. Not only am I paid every week to teach violin, and sometimes viola, cello, and guitar lessons, in which I utilize music theory that I learned in my lessons with David, but I also am paid to play violin in an orchestra and in small ensembles for weddings and other venues. I write music for private clients, including pieces for the soundtrack to a documentary that will be released this spring 2015. Of all the training and schooling I have received, it is clear to me that music has paid off. I think I would have been content just enjoying music as an aficionado, as I do: I sing in local folk song groups, such as shape note and Corsican singing groups, and I also play fiddle, guitar, and percussion for various formal and informal small ensembles as a volunteer. But, while the joy I get from teaching, playing, and writing music might have been enough, the money I have made from it feels good, partly because it is a testament to the quality of the teachers I studied with (David was my only composing teacher), and to the fact that my studies with teachers like David have been paying off.

Sarah F.

Sep 7, 2014

I am writing this review to share my experience and praise a truly exceptional mentor and teacher. David Gleba is a teacher that I can support with absolute resolve and admiration. I had taken years of private lessons with David and under his tutelage I had excelled much faster than I did with my previous teacher. This is no cookie cutter lesson and it is completely individualized to the student's specific needs and level of classical training. From beginner to advanced, any musician can learn from David Gleba. He was trained by the best, including the late Leopold Godowsky III. He is an exceptional person as well as a classical genius. If you wish to learn and train with the best then David is your man! Even though I was short on time during my high school years, David was understanding and continued to teach at an advanced level. He did not cut me short and instead gave me his full time and attention with each lesson, even if we went over time. I cannot express my gratitude for the skills and knowledge he has passed on to me. In addition to his teaching ability and raw passion as a pianist and composer he has a quick intellect, witty humor, and quirky fun personality (always popular with the children). David delivers an unforgettable experience for students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill level. He has a tremendous ability to uphold clarity and to communicate complex concepts, characteristic of the lessons he gives. I highly recommend and would like to personally validate, as a past student, what a responsible, fun, and intelligent teacher and mentor David is. Teachers have a great responsibility when they choose their profession: to teach and mentor future generations, passing on their knowledge to new individuals with care, passion, and understanding. David fulfills this role and passes on his knowledge with dedication, compassion, and a bountiful dose of witty humor. If you are considering David but would like to have a student reference and speak with someone previously taught by him, please ask for my contact info and I will be more than happy to talk with you and share my experience further!

Credentials

Background Check

David Gleba

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I charge $50 for a half-hour lesson, $75 for 45 minutes, and $100 for an hour.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I teach my students to read music right away, as it is the key to understanding the complex abstract language of music.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied piano with the late Leopold Godowski III.