KAREN DAVIS MUSIC
About
The mix of fun an rigor. We clap, sing, and groove a bit on the piano bench. I teach my students to treat everything they learn - scales, exercises, songs, as a tool that they can use to build sometihng of their own. Once learned we can swing Twinkle, Twinkle, improvise with a scale; we can rock out the Mozart. We can use the Bach minuet to write a pop song.
Throughout my years of teaching private and group lessons, I've spent a lot of time talking with my students about what they like and what works. I make sure my lessons are fun, engaging, consistent and content rich.
Making music, pure and simple. Whether we're at the absolute beginning playing rhythm games and improvising with three notes, or working through Bach minutes for recital or competition, I love it all. I also love that moment when'too hard' becomes 'easy'. Facilitating student's progess is what it's all about.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My training consists of studying classical piano for ten years with two concert pianists. They gave me a firm grounding in technique and piano literature. Through teaching piano for 15 years (beginners, advanced beginners, intermediates) I have learned how to make lessons effective and enjoyable.
Over years of playing rock guitar as a band member and a solo performer, I have developped a practical, straight-forward approach to teaching the instrument. We work the instrument the way pros do: playing by ear, reading charts, and using other visual cues. We also work with traditional methods of note and tablauture reading.
Studying Theater at NYU gave me a clear-eyed approach to working in the arts in general and music in particular. I learned that being a vitruoso doens't hurt, but you don't have be. The most important thing is to do what you do as well as possible. My goal as a teacher is to help students reach that potential.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$35 for local Jersey City lessons lasting half an hour.
$45 for lessons in NYC lasting half an hour.
$50 for Jersey City lessons lasting 45 minutes.
$55 for NYC lessons lasting 45 minutes.
$70 for Jersey City lessons lasting an hour.
$75 for lessons in NYC lasting an hour.
I offed a 10% discount for purchases of 10 lessons.
How did you get started teaching?
A teacher friend of mine asked me to teach her son. I agreed, had a blast and never looked back.
What types of students have you worked with?
My private piano and guitar teaching practice has consisted mostly of children aged 3 to 9. As a general music teacher in Jersey City Schools, I've worked with all students from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Through the agencies Arts Horizons and Healing Arts Initiative, I've done in-classroom residencies with general education and special education populations.
I've also worked with adult students interested in learning classical piano rock guitar.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Remember that you will indeed have to practice.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do they want to achieve on the instrument?
How much time are they willing/able to devote to practicing?
Are they going to be able to practice regularly?
Is the instrument they have sufficient: in good shape, accessible, etc?