Ann Street Piano

The first lesson is a free trial to see if the student is truly interested and wants to continue. A basic lesson begins with a few minutes of warm-ups followed by songs progressing from the lesson book being used, one or two songs the student likes from whatever genre he/she enjoys playing, and we end with a sight read. My lessons include some music theory and note reading/writing, and at times a brief bit of history behind each composer and/or composition. This helps the student better comprehend music in order to make song writing and performing simpler.

Professionally, I am a home-based freelance photographer with a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design, but I have about twenty years experience in piano and clarinet performance with a few years teaching experience. I love teaching privately and so have continued from home for extra income.

There is no complicated pricing system for my services. They are set at $20, $30 and $40 per 30 minute, 45 minute and one hour sessions, respectively. I charge on a monthly basis and credit for lessons missed in the event of a reasonable absence. 

Younger children from 5-10 I will accept at 30 and 45 minute lessons due to shorter attention spans in order to keep up their interest in music. Older than 10, I recommend one hour lessons for making the trip each week worthwhile. In a few cases, children under ten with greater interest in music may prefer longer lessons.

I've taught and conducted music in high school through marching band as a drum major, and performed then at church, weddings, accompaniments. I attended college courses for about two years in piano performance and music instruction, and I taught piano for a little over a year in Atlanta while obtaining my college degree in photography. I teach piano and photograph because these are the things I enjoy.

I am a photographer and pianist, so I teach piano to students and photograph various assignments. I have taught children and adults, including uniquely reserved five year olds as well as super hyperactive ones, students who know music by ear but struggle to read Mary's lamb on paper, adults who've never played but aspire to learn, and adults who used to play but lost touch with music years ago and want to get back into it. I've taught a couple of younger ones whose parents wanted them to learn while they didn't want to, as well as some who enjoyed it but whose parents never thought the lessons were good enough, and I don't recommend that dynamic if you're in either of those categories. That encompasses a great deal of the types of music customers I've encountered.

One of my middle school students was largely self-taught by ear when she came to me, and she was so motivated to learn to read music that it's only been about six months in and we're working on a Prelude for her talent show at the end of the year that would generally take a couple years to get to. I'm fond of this because she's really making progress with it, and the material isn't too advanced for her. It's great when a student loves the art we learn about.

Do not force anyone to play piano if he or she doesn't want to. Music should be enjoyed and never resented.

The first lesson is a free trial to see if the student is truly interested and wants to continue. A basic lesson begins with a few minutes of warm-ups followed by songs progressing from the lesson book being used, one or two songs the student likes from whatever genre he/she enjoys playing, and we end with a sight read. My lessons include some music theory and note reading/writing, and at times a brief bit of history behind each composer and/or composition. This helps the student better comprehend music in order to make song writing and performing simpler.