Cactus Keys Entertainment
About
I have played the piano since the age of 4, and worked as a professional musician since the age of 13. After graduating law school in 2014, I played professionally in Nashville before transitioning into a new job as a dueling piano entertainer.
While I have years of classical/jazz/theory training, my style of performance is primarily based on playing by ear and reading off chord sheets. If I can hear a song and read the chords, I can perform it. And so can you.
My ideal student is a competent pianist looking to take things to the next level. You would like to play for cocktail hours, or just sit down at the next social gathering and be able to entertain. Perhaps you're transitioning from playing in a band to playing solo, or the other way around. Maybe you are a solid guitarist who understand chord structure and timing, but is unfamiliar with the best ways to shift your skills to the piano. This is where I can help the best.
Music is my passion, and I believe empowering musicians to connect with other people through the gift of music is one of the best ways to bring positive energy and love into the world. It sounds cheesey, but it is a powerful and rewarding feeling to sit down at a piano and bring joy to another person. If this joy is something you wish to share, I would love to help you do that.
Everything. Music is a form of communication, and the piano is one of the most versatile instruments in the world. Strings, percussion, 10 fingers, 88 keys... there is nothing more empowering than sitting in front of a piano and having the ability to play any song, express any feeling, evoke a multitude of emotions, and connect with those around you. When I sit in front of a piano, the instrument is an extension of me - of my fingers, and my communicative abilities. I want to share not only my performance, but more importantly, this communicative style with others.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Understanding a student's objectives is probably the most important part of planning a structure for teaching. Basic theory, chords, scales, sight reading, dexterity exercises, etc are all important. But if you simply want to play every CCR song ever written, we can probably skip some steps. If you are going to be using a keyboard with a transpose function, we can skip the finger exercises to help you play in keys with accidentals. You let me know what you want to accomplish, and together we will formulate a plan to get you there!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I took 12 years of piano lessons as a child, including lessons at the Cleveland Institute of Music. I worked in Churches forming and conducting choirs and other musicians to lead worship services. I have performed and recorded in Nashville, and been entertainment director at piano bars, training new entertainers on proper piano, vocal, and entertainment techniques.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I don't. Because teaching is new to me.
Prior to COVID, I was playing the piano 5 nights a week professionally. Live entertainment as a career has, at least temporarily, dried up. But, my passion for sharing music has not.
I will offer a free consultation with perspective students in order to see if we are a good fit. If we click, we can discuss a pricing structure that works for both of us!
How did you get started teaching?
I am new to marketing myself as a teacher, but not new to performing, entertaining, and working with fellow musicians to improve their piano chops.