GUITAR • PIANO • COMPOSITION LESSONS in PORTLAND MAINE
OVERVIEW
I offer lessons in flamenco, classical, and modern guitar along with composition, ear training, orchestration, and improvising. My approach is informed by 20+ years of teaching experience. My students range from beginners of all ages to advanced students preparing for academic and professional auditions and those continuing their education.
The studio is a union of styles and ideals for people who are interested in becoming better guitarists and musical contributors to their communities & culture. My hope is that people will share in the creative freedom that music can offer. My approach centers around building a student's repertoire, with music they are interested in, while exploring key elements of musicianship like improvising, technique, music theory, ear training, arranging, phrasing, music notation, reading music, orchestration, and composition. I also ask students to consider broadening their listening for the sake of adding new ideas, concepts, melodies, rhythms and harmonies to their playing.
LESSONS FOR KIDS
I offer comfortable, stress-free guitar and piano lessons for kids and their parents to learn and have fun with music. I help kids familiarize themselves with foundational techniques, read notes & tablature, develop listening skills and perform songs that are age appropriate. Quick progress and musical achievement will nurture their confidence and feeling of accomplishment.
When beginning guitar students are ready, I introduce the Berklee Method for Guitar. I have found this book to be an excellent method for note reading and beginning music theory. It has clear explanations, written exercises, and student/teacher duets to complement lessons. For beginning piano students I encourage them to use the Piano Pronto method and A Dozen A Day until their reading is strong enough to branch into more focused practice in a particular genre.
I recommend that students take a weekly 30 minute lesson and practice 15-30 minutes at least four days per week. Consistency and repetition are essential for developing foundational skills on a musical instrument.
LESSONS FOR ADULTS
New students are interviewed as to gain an understanding of how they learn most effectively and to create customized private lessons to suit their strengths and challenges.
For flamenco guitar, there is a heavy technical and rhythmic component. To help a student understand these necessary foundational skills and repertoire I work from numerous methods by guitarists including Manuel Granados, Claude Worms, Dennis Koster & Juan Serrano.
For classical guitar, there again are strict technical guidelines to achieve a beautiful tone and effective movement. To supplement private instruction, I use method books by Aaron Shearer, Frederick Noad, Francisco Tarrega, Mateo Carcassi and others for technical training and basic music theory as they relate to the guitar.
For electric & acoustic guitar, I typically divide the learning experience into three general subcategories. Jazz, Blues and Rock based music forms. In addition to creating a customized approach for each student, I suggest several method books to supplement learning this style including A Modern Method for Guitar, Reading Studies for Guitar, Classical Studies for Pick Style Guitar and The Real Book.
LESSONSPOLICY
Tuition
Students enrolled in weekly lessons at a recurring time will be billed monthly tuition. Invoices will be emailed at the beginning of each month and payment is due by the 10th. I accept cash, checks, credit card, or paypal. You are welcome to schedule an initial hour long, a la carte lesson for $70 before signing up to become a weekly student. The $70 is then applicable to that month's tuition if you decide to continue.
September '23 - June '24 Tuition Rates
30 minute lessons $137/month
45 minute lessons $198/month
60 minute lessons $247/month
Cancellations & Make-up Credits
If you cancel your lesson with at least 24 hours' notice you will be seeded with a make-up credit. Credits can be used to book a make-up session within three months of the cancelled lesson. In the rare occurrence that I need to cancel your lesson you will ALWAYS be issued a make-up credit.
Virtual Lessons
Virtual lessons are available as a back-up option in cases of illness, travel, covid exposure, etc. We are able to accommodate a small number of students with long-term virtual lessons. If this is an accessibility need for your family please don't hesitate to ask.
Discontinuing Lessons
You may discontinue lessons at any time. Please let me know as soon as possible so I can adjust my schedule and cancel future invoices. If you do need to leave mid-month applicable make-up credits will be issued but no refunds. Thank you, thank you!