About
Although I am an accomplished as a musician, I realize that not everything comes as easily to many, at least in the beginning. Working through my own challenges as a professional musician, along with years experiencing others', I have learned and modified many techniques which have dramatically assisted students and allowed for more self-reliance and ability for the student to go off on their own, educating themselves outside of their required lesson assignment. I have met or witnessed the results of many other teachers who have a difficult time or are not as adept at communicating ideas and concepts to their students and/or who are lacking in their knowledge of those techniques, or how to convey to the student the importance of them, which would inspire the students to adhere to them, and hence lead to significant results. I am not one of those teachers, and the students who do embrace the concepts I have to offer benefit demonstrably. You can ask them for yourself. I have many references.
Music and rhythm are my passions, so sharing it with others and watching other students develop and feel rewarded can be rewarding in itself.
The are a number of benefits which come along with learning a musical instrument, including understanding the virtues of developing discipline and of delayed gratification, overcoming performance anxiety, working through personal challenges, building neurons in the brain, all of which assist in other areas of life.
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Janice Pehrson / S.
Janice Pehrson / S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The three main things I work on with students are:
Developing their hand technique with exercises to get the most efficiency out of the stick and whatever surface they're playing on (drums, practice pads, any mallet instrument) so that the least effort to produce most effect can be achieved. I use specific rudiments, my own and other's exercises I've gathered over the years, detailed descriptions of hand technique which assist with this. I have found that this is often not emphasized as much and in as much detail as it should be.
Reading Music (rhythm more specifically but also melody if we get into melodic instruments; Marimba, Xylophone, music theory, etc.). I have techniques which will help the student to become quite self-reliant so that when they listen to music, let alone sight-read other material, they can pick up on a lot without my help and will be able to learn things on their own (become their own teacher outside of lesson curriculum).
Independence/Coordination are the third area, to get each limb of the body to become more independent and expand on the ability to play many styles of music, and many parts (instruments) at the same time. I have a myriad of exercises to assist with this on many levels depending on how extreme a student may wish to pursue their level of independence/coordination. Along with reading and technique this is a subject I am passionate about working on for myself as well.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a Berklee College of Music Performance Graduate (BA) (summa cum laude). Before attending Berklee I spent two years at Central Conncecticut State University under the tutilege of one of one of the finest Navy Coast Guard Percussionists, studying mostly Classical Percussion (Snare Drum, Timpani, Mallets) and Jazz.
(At Berklee Contemporary music; Jazz, Funk, World, Rock, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Salsa, World, etc.)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
It varies depending on whether the student is coming to my home, whether I teach them online, or whether I am doing a house call. House calls are less common due to my availability and the fact that it is much less convenient for me. House calls also depend on the proximity of where I am traveling to and from to get to a students house.
Generally speaking, a 1/2hr lesson is $25 for online lessons and $30 per half hour if coming to my home studio.
45 Min lesson online $40.00
45 Min lesson at my studio $45.00
How did you get started teaching?
The best thing to do is to message me here through the site and once we establish some report we can discuss over the phone what your goals are, what availability you have for a lesson day/time-frame, etc.
What types of students have you worked with?
I teach every age from 5yrs of age to 75 years of age. The age frame I teach most frequently is usually Jr High to High School range.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have a couple of students really excelling in a Jazz Group and in other Rock Ensembles who are really nailing down some difficult grooves and charts. Their teachers are quite pleased. I have also had a couple of students involved with Jr & Sr Districts in MA recently, which for a student is quite an accomplishment.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Do your research and find out what their teaching philosophy is, what styles they specialize in, whether they really love what they do, how well trained they are. Check their references, etc.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
They should ask themselves whether they have a fair amount of time they can devote several times per week to this practice. This is the only way they will realize the rewards they seek. They should ask themselves what their goals may be, what they're looking for in a teacher, why this specific instrument vs any other, etc.