Piano

Beginner piano students typically start with a lesson book, an exercise book, and theory. I believe strongly in a reading approach and will teach music notation from the start of lessons. I will also incorporate rote learning and ear training based on age and skill.

All Beginner piano students will need:

• A notebook to write your lesson notes and practice assignments in
• A binder or folder for sheet music, resources, and worksheets
• Any piano books I have asked you to provide (this varies per student -- I will either make recommendations on books for you to bring to the first lesson, or I will make these recommendations after a lesson or two)
• Flash Cards for Beginning Music Students
• A pencil and eraser

For students who already have some experience playing piano, we will start with whatever materials you have most recently used on your own or with your previous instructor. Depending on the student, we may continue with your existing books or I may ask you to purchase new books that will be a better fit for your learning needs. 

As you advance, we will introduce appropriate level exercises, theory, and technique. I will also regularly introduce new music genres such as classical, jazz, film, pop, and more to broaden your music education and your enjoyment of the material.

What Piano Books Will I Need?

Because every student is unique, not every student should learn from the same method series. I have successfully taught students from a wide variety of methods, the best of which include John W. Schaum, John Thompson, Faber Piano Adventures, Alfred, Piano Pronto, A Dozen a Day, Hanon, Czerny, and others. As I get to know you and your learning style, I will recommend appropriate books for you to purchase.

No matter which books we use, I will also heavily supplement with additional music and materials to ensure that nothing important is left out of your education. To encourage growth and to help you love music even more, I also provide custom arrangements of any song to fit your level! Some of the arrangements I’ve made for my students include Christmas carols, classical music, ragtime, Disney, Charlie Brown, Taylor Swift, musical theatre, Bollywood, religious music, and more.

Voice

All voice students will need a notebook in which to write down warm-up exercises for practicing at home.

The learning material for voice students varies significantly. I do not require a specific text. Instead, we will use warm-ups as well as:

• Music books (purchased by student)
• Sheet music for individual songs (purchased by student)
• Sheet music for individual songs (provided by me)
• YouTube links or backing tracks to sing along with (provided by me or student)

Singing students will be expected to participate in choosing which songs they will learn to sing.

Flute

Since most flute students are also in a school band or orchestra, most of our lesson materials will be whatever book and/or sheet music you are using for your ensemble. To strengthen playing technique, I may also recommend purchasing the Rubank Flute Method. For those interested in learning solo flute, I will recommend flute solo books based on your music interests and skill level. 

Music Theory

Materials for music theory students will depend on your music background and learning goals. Resources I frequently pull from include my own library, John Schaum's Notespellers, Keith Snell's Fundamentals of Piano Theory, and www.musictheory.net.