Charlotte Piano Teacher has openings

August 2010

Hello! And welcome! If you are looking for a Charlotte piano teacher or a Matthews/Ballentyne piano teacher, bravo to you for pursuing the wonderful world of music!

I have several openings for fall 2010 and would love to talk with you about lessons.

My studio is at All Saints Presbyterian Church on McKee Rd, conveniently located in the Matthews/Ballentyne area of Charlotte, only two minutes from the 485/Providence Rd Exit #57. (See Photos 2 & 3)

Please give me a call and we can arrange a time for a no cost/no obligation Interview. My phone number and the exact studio address are in the Contact Information at the top of the home page.

Piano students love to play and find practicing rewarding because the assignments are specific and advancement in both reading and musical understanding is apparent.

GOALS
1) Reading: Developing the lifelong skill of reading music fluently

2) Interpretation: Teaching students the "why" of music interpretation so they can begin to make interpretive decisions independently

3) Functional piano skills: Providing opportunities to play pieces in all the keys, transpose, harmonize and improvise using folk tunes and hymns


LESSON STYLE
Concepts are taught using principles that can be applied to successive pieces, enabling each student to LEARN HOW TO LEARN. In this way, students become independently able to make beautiful music on their own!

A discovery style lesson works best for fostering this kind of independent thinking. Time spent leading the student to discover a concept rather than telling them is time well spent. My motto:

"Never tell a student something you can lead them to discover by asking a question!"

PIANO BOOKS (Photos 5-7)
I use a combination of books on the market and those I have created myself. A number of books I have written are currently used in the Matthews/Ballentyne studio:

Folk Tunes 1-3: Beginner method teaching landmark/interval reading using folk tunes

Folk Tunes 4: Two pieces in every with harmonizing and transposing

Classical Collection: Original easy masterworks sequenced to teach phrasing, counterpoint and both parallel and contrasting articulation

Skills Plus: Thorough presentation of functional elements such as 5-five patterns, cadences, triads and inversions, etc. Also technical "workout" including Hanon, scales, arpeggios, etc.

BEGINNERS LEARN TO READ "PHONETICALLY"
When a child learns to read using a phonetic approach, they quickly become fluent and are confidant sounding out any word. In the same way, students taught to read music "phonetically" play with a fluency that is enviable and serves them for the rest of their life.

Simply put, they learn where the notes are in relation to each other (intervals) and how far they are from specific landmark notes.

RECOGNITION/MOTIVATION (Photo 4 & Students page)
Students earn trips to the "Bravo Box" for completing specific books or skills (see Students Page), and awards are presented at the Spring Recital for completing various reading levels.

Regular opportunities to perform are provided in the studio throughout the year as well.

THEORY
Each lesson begins with theory because it forms the foundation for understanding the music. Without it, performers merely follow instructions on the page without understanding why there needs to get louder or slower.

Mission:	Students learning how to learn
Principal Instrument:	Piano
Principal Style:	Classical
Other Styles Taught:	Pop, Folk, Broadway, Hymn Playing
Studio Specialties:	Adult, High-school Aged Students, Hymn playing
Studio Size:	Medium (11-34 students)
Studio Recitals:	Yes
Other Studio Information:	I have written several piano books, a technique book and an assignment book which are in use in the studio. Students study a variety of styles year round including seasonal, pop and hymns around a core of classical literature. Every lesson also includes theory, scales and other technical components.
Free Interview:	Yes
Studio Policy:	Download here
Studio Hours:	Wednesday: Afternoon Thursday: During School, Afternoon