About
My name is Adam Wolff. I offer piano lessons catered to beginners. I am classically trained and have over 33 years of experience, with over half of that time playing professionally. My approach to lesson plans offer a hybrid blend of traditional training including theory, rhythm & timing, site reading and ear training. However, they also include helpful tips and tricks that I have picked up from over three decades of experience. I sculpt each lesson based on methods that I feel each individual student will most easily grasp and retain. I have a way of breaking everything down to its easiest form to understand. My lesson plans are structured in a way that focuses on the student having fun (because that's what it's all about!), while learning important concepts at the same time. I do this in a way that shows, not only how to apply these concepts, but also why these concepts and techniques are important to understand. I teach people how I would have wanted to be taught when I first started playing at the age of 8.
I teach all ages from 5 on up. I prefer to work with beginners because I can give them the solid foundation that they need to become the springboard for all future progression to come.
I offer three options for lessons which include lessons in my home studio, traveling to the student and remote lessons virtually. Each option has its own level of pricing starting with virtual lessons being the most economical and me traveling to the student being the highest priced.
I am also the owner of a professional home recording studio called Howling Wolff Recording Studio (HWRS) where I offer audio recording/editing/mixing services. When the student travels to me, lessons take place in the studio. My studio provides a musically focused and comfortable space that my students really enjoy. I love what I do and it shows through my teaching! Teaching piano melds my two greatest passions in life...Playing piano and teaching others, by passing along the skills and knowledge that I have learned from over three decades of training and playing.
Referrals given upon request
The piano has been the center of my life. From a very young age, I always loved the sound of the piano and was determined to learn how to play very well. Throughout the decades it has always remained a constant joy iny life. If I am happy, I can express it with the piano. If I'm feeling down, I can create a song that sounds like how I am feeling , which always cheers me up. Just as much as I love playing the piano, I love teaching the piano! It brings me back to my many years of lessons and let's me pass on the little tricks that I learned along the way, to make playing easier and more enjoyable. There is no greater satisfaction to me than seeing my students having fun and progressing each week. My passion for the piano shines through, when I'm teaching. I'v found that this gets my students inspired, excited and having fun, and that's really what it's all about!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I feel that it is very important to establish a good rapport and relationship with the student from the very beginning. I will ask them questions about themselves. Why they like and want to learn how to play the piano. I'll ask about what their other interests are. Hobbies, favorite movies, favorite musicians etc... I'll tell them about myself and my long history with the piano.
I'll then ask them if they can play me anything on the piano. This will give me a sense of their existing knowledge level and establish where we need to begin with our lessons. I'll let them know how are lessons will be structured (piano learning games, books, rhythm, ear, muscle memory training etc...) I communicate and show that we are going to have ALOT of fun learning the piano together.
To build their confidence in themselves, I will teach them an easy song that they will be able to play by the end of their first lesson. If I have done my job well, they will be excited to start practicing and looking forward to our next lesson together!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have over 30 years of experience on the piano. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, from Salisbury University, where I minored in music theory & composition. Throughout all of my 30+ years of experience, I have been trained, by a number of instructors, in classical, contemporary and modern styles. I have been composing original music since the age of eight. (I'm 38 now) In my early twenties I began playing, professionally, in several bands, as the keyboardist/pianist. I am continually hired to compose, play record and mix piano/synth pieces for client music projects at my recording studio, Howling Wolff Recording Studio.
I also graduated, at the top of my class, from the Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts in 2012. In 2014 I resigned from my corporate job and built a professional Recording Studio, out of my home, called Howling Wolff Recording Studio. I run and operate the studio, full time, and also offer piano lessons in the Live Room of the studio.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rates are based off of three options... remote (virtual) lessons (most economical), student travels to me or I travel to the student (highest price). I only offer hour long lessons for any student over the age of 7. For students under the age of 7, I offer half-hour lessons. Remote (virtual) lessons are $55/hour, If the student travels to me it is ($65/hour) and if I travel to the student it is $75/hour. For students under the age of 7, lessons are $30/half-hour if student travels to me and $40/half-hour if I travel to the student. The amount of the first lesson is paid, at least, 48 hours before the lesson. I accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo & Zelle. The first lesson is a trial to determine if everyone involved would like to continue with the lessons on a weekly basis. If so, lessons are charged, in advance, covering 4 weeks of lessons at a time. Howling Wolff Piano Lessons is a State & Federal recognized business. A 3% convenience fee is applied, if paying by credit card.
How did you get started teaching?
Piano has been the center of my world since before I can remember. I have a love and passion for it. It was never just a "hobby" for me, it has always been a lifestyle.
As much as I enjoy playing, I also am passionate about teaching piano. I have four nieces, who are between the ages of 4-10. I started out teaching them and quickly realized the joy that it gave me to pass along the knowledge that I have gained over the years. I realized that I am able to break things down to their most simple form so that it is the most easy to understand. I soon started giving lessons to some of the clients that I record, as well as, some members of their family and friends. It gives me great pleasure to watch my students progress and help them overcome obstacles that were, at one point in time, also obstacles for me.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with Beginner to intermediate students. You can be six years old or eighty-six years old. The age doesn't matter. I choose to work with beginners because they do not have any bad habits that I have to try and undo. My lessons are not the same for every student. I structure my lesson plans based on the individual that I am teaching. Everyone learns differently and at a different pace. I can identify the level of the student, where we need to begin and the teaching methods that I will apply within the first lesson.