About
My name is Aliya Elisabeth Gardella and I am so excited to meet you and begin a musical journey together! I have been teaching privately for since 2017 and music directing/leading youth stage, chapel bands and gospel choirs since 2014. I began my music training at five with piano and singing in the church choir. I expanded my studies in highschool by going to Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts where I focoused on piano and voice in addition to taking private lessons in both. I went to Greensboro College for Vocal Performance where I minored in Piano and Religion. Currently I perform and assistant music direct with community theatres in the Piedmont Triad area. When I am not teaching in my music studio you can find me teaching 2nd Grade at Phoenix Academy. I am open to everyone who has a love for music! I love music and everything that music encompasses. I share with my students the love I feel for music. By doing so I enrich their musical experience. I am flexible with my students! I will teach online or students may come to my home studio! Anyway that I can help a student's musical dreams come true, I will!
Music has always been a part of me. Something I would always turn to no matter the emotions I was going through. I would use music when it came to my faith, and as a way to express myself. Teaching has always been something I have wanted to do. As a child I would sing and play piano pretending I was on stage and when I would leave the stage I would start teaching in my pretend classroom! As an adult I thought why not combine them together! My students and their families make teaching worthwhile! Seeing their progress, watching them learn, grow, come into their own and be proud of themselves makes it all worth it! I love being their for them and being a support system for them. They are bright lights in my life and turn my frowns on a hard day into a smile.
Highlights
Details
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For new students our first lessons will focous on getting to know each other. We will discuss what you do know so far about your prosepctive insturment, what you would like to learn, what types of music you love, what you want to accomplish, and where you would like to see yourself in a year. After we discuss this with each other (and your parents if you are a minor) we will make a lesson plan of how we will structure our weekly (or biweekly) lessons.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have fifteen years experince within the field of music. Including piano training (classical, jazz, christian, contemporary), voice training (classical, jazz, chrisitan, gospel, musical theatre, opera), music theroy, sight singing/reading, and audition prep.
I studied at Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts for highschool, Vocal Intensive Programs at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Vocal Performance and Piano in the Music Department at Greensboro College with private lessons under Laura Dewalt, JoAnn Martinson, Susan Young, Dr. Jon Brotherton and Dr. Jane McKinney. As well as High Point Community Theatre through various directors, and music directors.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
More information is provided in my studio packet which you will receive once you reach out.
All lessons will incorporate music theory to varying degrees.
Voice Lessons/Audition Prep
30 minutes-$20.00
45 minutes-$30.0060 minutes-$40.00
Piano Lessons
30 minutes-$15.00 (Children who are 12 and under are $20.00 because of Prize Week)
60 minutes-$30.00
Voice and Piano Lessons Combined
40 minutes-$35.00
60 minutes-$45.00
Accompaniment for Auditions/Recitals (outside of studio)
Flate Rate of $45.00
How did you get started teaching?
I got my start teaching private lessons in a funny way. I had taught before in the past when I was in high school and my early years of college but took a break so I could focus more on school and work at the time. After I graduated college I took a job as a Toddler Assistant Teacher/Music Teacher at a private school. When my position at the school changed to a full time regular school day position I had to stop being a music teacher for the Preschool and Kindergarten students. One day at recess one of my former students came up to me and said "You're coming to my house and you will teach me music lessons every week. My mom already said it was okay." I just laughed and went along with it thinking it was just a joke. Over the next week her teachers were coming up to me asking me if it were true because she had told everyone. Her mom got in touch with me at the end of that week telling me that her daughter had been asking her for weeks if she could take private lessons from me. The rest is history.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all ages. Majority of my current students are between the ages of 7-17
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I am very proud of one of my students for going through with a very big audition. She worked very hard and did an excellent job!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Get to know the teacher and form a connection with them. Be open and honest. Express to them everything that you are feeling and everything that you are wanting within a music teacher. Ask all the questions that you need to so you can make sure you are a right fit for each other.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students, here are a few questions that you should think through before talking to and meeting your teachers.
What do I want to study?
Why do I want to study music?
What am I looking for in a teacher?
What kind of music do I want to learn?