Diane Moser Music

First I have a getting to know each other session. Once I know more about a student, then I can make suggestions on how to proceed, and what I think the student needs. If the student agrees, then we start!

I have been teaching music since 1981; piano, composition, arranging, performance and theory. I began college in 1975 at University of Iowa, then went on the road for a bit, and moved to New York City, and finished my BA at Empire State College. I then went on to Manhattan School of Music for a MM in Jazz Piano, studied with jazz pianists Harold Danko and Jaki Byard.
More information is available on my website:http://dianemosermusic.com/teaching/

30 minute lesson in my studio, $42, 45 min lesson, $62. 60 min lesson in my studio $80. Same rates for Skype.

In 1981, I was hired to teach piano at The Harbor Conservatory for Musical Growth, in Hewlitt,Long Island, NY and studied with it's founder, Sidney Jason Lawrence. I stayed there until 1983. I've taught in many different configurations, classroom, private schools, run programs at The Brooklyn Children's Museum, workshops and reisdencies throughout the USA. Since 2006 I have been a member of the core faculty at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (NYC) and since 2012 a member of the core faculty at The Vermont College of Fine Arts and their MFA Music Composition (Montpelier,VT).

I've worked with students of ages 5-82 yrs old. My students range from professionals to beginners, and I teach all styles of music. A note about working with children under the age of 7. It has been my experience that the best age to start piano lessons is at age 7. I have worked with 5 and 6 yr olds, but I think they would benefit more from a music class such as Music Together or Kindermusik, before they start piano lessons.

I recently performed with some of my former and current New School Jazz students at a very hip club in Brooklyn called Shapeshifter Lounge. I had a wonderful time performing with these extremely talented young people. It was nice to switch gears and not be the teacher, but be a member of the collective, creating music. I go to concerts by my former students and much as my schedule allows. It's thrilling to me to see them perform with such confidence and joy! I regularly hear from my students long after they have graduated from high school and college, telling me about their successes, and their further explorations into music. Parents of former students also stay in touch with me and tell me about what new musical adventures their children are having as adults. It is so gratifying to hear that these students continue on with music, whether it be professional or for their own enjoyment.

Have a list of questions ready to ask, do your reserach on the teacher, know what you want but be open to hearing what you need and how to get there. This is the most important, make a commitment to taking piano lessons before you start looking for a teacher, and, have either a piano or a keyboard that has 88 keys. When teachers look at your profile and see that you don't have a keyboard, they will assume you are not committed and will pass on your request.

Students should ask about a teachers teaching style, and what the teacher expects from a student, about experience in the area of concentration they wish to explore and it is very important is to ask about scheduling, missed lessons and make-ups, and how the teacher wishes to be paid.