Stars and Moon Music School

Introduction: I am eager to add new students of all ages and abilities. I have been providing private piano instruction for over 15 years for ages ranging from 4 yrs old to adults. I have a degree in classical composition and attended berklee college of music to study jazz. I am an active local and new england area performing artist, and my musical outlets span a wide range of styles. I take pride in friendly and individualized piano/music instruction. I generally teach fundamental piano from a selection of classic text, but always encourage exploration and improvisation across a broad range of genres, including classical, jazz, latin, and more popular music. What are the instruction goals ? Of course, it depends on the goals of the individual student and often parents. I know for many of my students, their life paths may or may not be rooted primarily in music. What i do know is that whether or not music becomes their primary career goals in life, they can and will immensely benefit and enrich their lives in amazing ways with music! I can say that during my years in music, that in addition to the many talented trained professional musicians i have worked with, i have encountered so many talented musicians where music was not their main profession. They were often as capable, expressive, and sometimes as experienced as any professional musician. For example, i have performed with many skilled talented musicians who were working as scientists/doctors, engineers, and lawyers. What then is the instructional approach? The direction of my instruction does not change, as the same knowledge is will support the students potential to develop as a professional musician or as a highly skilled part time player. For example, developing music reading skills tends to be a relatively slow process, requiring discipline/continuity. While each student develops at their own pace, there is a point in development where an adequate level of music reading will open up a world of written music to them. Being able to pick up sheet music and just play it can open your ears, fingers, and mind to the library of possibilities of musical expression! With all the written music available today in print and on the internet, imagine all the amazing music one can discover! The rather profound caveat of music reading skills is that music exists in the air, in our hearts, and in our minds, not on paper. Written music is just one medium, albeit a highly functional one. It is for this reason that i strive to provide and emphasize a balance of various factors in music/piano instruction. For example, in addition to technical development, harmony, ear training etc., I try to implant as much improvisation and as many modes of personal expression as possible for the student. Each and every student has this ability and it only grows as his or her music theory, vocabulary, and concept grows! This is true for all whether music college students or absolute beginners. In conclusion, I continue to profoundly enjoy watching my students grow musically and for the younger ones a joy to watch them develop into young adults. I am simply serving as a vehicle to support the music knowledge and skills for each student. There is an artist in each and every one of them! I hope my instruction will serve as a catalyst for enabling students to unlock an understanding, a working knowledge through playing, and personal voice in the music in their lives!