Pianist Spectacular
About
My passion involves helping students stand out in music. I love allowing my students to explore the many different genres of music and learning about them through piano.
During our first lesson, I like to assess my students abilities to get an idea of the skill level they stand at. I also like to get to know what music the student enjoys learning and performing. From there, together we develop a plan to help the student advance.
I am able to teach students through late intermediate levels. I have a bachelor's degree in music education from North Carolina Central University. I have taught students in both the Durham and Jacksonville/Wilmington area. I graduated Valedictorian of my class and also received our Chancellor's award during my senior year of college.
I conducted my student teaching at Durham School of the Arts, teaching groups of students in the school's piano lab. Each class had groups of students that ranged from middle school to high school, with different levels of ability and skill.
Overall, I look forward to introducing more students to the world of piano, and music in general. Together, we will explore theory, history, technique, and beauty in music.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When working with a new student, I like to assess their abilities with music. Do they know anything about music already? Rhythm? Any basic theory? Do they play another instrument? This gives me a chance to figure out where to start the student.
I do like using music teaching books in my lessons, such as Alfred's Basic Piano Library, or the Fundamentals of Piano Theory book series. There are books available for all ages and levels that provide music pieces for students to learn during their lessons and at home practice.
If the student is brand new, and has no knowledge of music, or the piano, I dedicate my first lesson to introducing them to the piano, how to sit properly and play a few notes, and what the piano can do.
I spend the first 5 minutes of a lesson going over the previous material I had given the student for the week, to ensure they understand it, and can play it. I may add more time if they struggle to understand the material. I then spend the rest of the lesson teaching the next piece of material they should practice over the week.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have received a Bachelors degree in Music education and have studied piano for over 15 years. I completed my student teaching at Durham School of the Arts, where I worked with the teacher in the piano lab. I am currently the music director for the Methodist Church in Sneads Ferry, teach private piano lessons, and am a substitute teacher for music at Onslow, and Pender county schools.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge a monthly rate of $120 for a 30 minute lesson once a week online and at the studio.
As the student progresses, they will eventually be recommended to receive weekly lessons that last an hour. The monthly rate for this is $160 a month.
I am also able to travel to the student's home for weekly lessons, but the price is determined by the distance I travel, and whether or not I provide the piano to play on during the lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
While working on my Bachelor's degree at NCCU, I would normally tutor the students who were struggling a bit in the required piano classes they needed to take. I tutored people in the four different classes, each a level higher than the other. This gave me the opportunity to prove to my students at the time, and myself, that I could teach piano. It felt like an accomplishment when my students shared with me that they had passed their exams. I then proceeded to teach a few students privately in Durham.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of all ages and all levels. During my student teaching, we had four different piano classes. Each class ranged from about 17-24 students, both in middle school and high school. One minute of the class, I would be working with a student who was a beginner, learning from the beginning level piano series. The next minute I would be working with a student learning the Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin. Each student progressed at his or her own pace, and it was a fun challenge for me to be able to adjust my teaching abilities to the students' ages and levels I worked with each day.