Piano Studio
Teaching Philosophy
Music connects people across time and space. Learning to play a musical instrument is a unique experience that combines feeling, thinking and physical skills. Sound speaks directly to our emotions. We bring out the sounds we hear in our minds through appropriate physical motions we train in practice. In order to practice mindfully, we also need to engage our rational skills of observation, thinking and planning.
If we set the intention, we can transfer skills learnt at the piano to other areas of our lives. As Seymour Bernstein expresses it so beautifully in the preface to his book With your own Two Hands – Self-Discovery through Music: “…through an organized and consistent process of practicing it ought to be possible to harmonize everything you think, feel and do.”
Playing the piano can become a source of tremendous joy and fulfillment. Regardless of talent and previous training, I’m happy to work with all students who are willing to put in the time and effort.
Organization
I offer one-on-one lessons (45 – and 60 minutes) for people age 8 and up, beginner to advanced level. Being somewhat of a “late-bloomer” at the piano myself, I thoroughly enjoy working with adults.
The school year begins in September and covers 36 lesson weeks, largely matching the school calendar of the Maplewood/South Orange school district. Students are expected to sign up for the school year. Individual coaching sessions are available for advanced adult students. Lessons during the summer months are optional; they are scheduled month-to-month.
Lessons take place at my apartment in Maplewood, NJ. During the Covid-19 Pandemic I started teaching online through Facetime and Zoom. This format has proved so successful that I continue to use it for students who prefer to have lessons online.
In addition to individual lessons we meet for a group class, usually once a month. It has the character of a workshop and gives students the opportunity to play for each other and share experience about their learning process. We also explore musical topics of general interest, like practicing, music theory and music history together.
The studio recitals in January and in June are an opportunity to perform for an audience in a private and supportive setting. Students wishing to perform in public can participate in the student recitals of the Leschetizky Association or other musical organizations.
Please contact me for further information and detailed studio policies.