Four Points Piano Teacher

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Tucson, AZ & Online

About

Welcome! I teach ages 8 through adult, any skill level and background and provide a well rounded musical education to all students. Be a part of my studio to find your joy in playing music at the piano!

My primary goal is to help each student find and maintain their personal connection with playing music at the piano, and to do so realizing that music is not only art but very personal. Music is a universal language, that traverses cultures. It can heal, inspire, transform and help lead us into new ways of being and living our lives. It is a gift and a discipline.

My Piano studio is online only for all students. To be clear, I do not teach in person lessons, but conduct all lessons online through the app, Zoom. Online lessons are so much better than they used to be a few years ago. Contact me for a studio tour and demonstration and a no-obligation mini lesson to see how it all works. My students love it!

With me as your teacher you will learn to approach learning and playing music from the viewpoint of a composer - from J. S. Bach through most 21st century composers, and styles - beyond the classical music genre into fusion styles, pop and more. You also will learn to bring out of yourself, your individuality, your unique ability and musical viewpoint, as a musician and as an interpreter of music at the piano.

Taking lessons online is a great thing to do. It gives you more freedom and more possibilities. You will learn and progress very well. An "in-person" lesson is not necessary for progress and loving music.

Contact me for a free trial online lesson and you will see how wonderful it is. Online piano lessons is the wave of the future, driven by our increasing dependence upon technology, and now "AI" (Artificial Intelligence) enters the picture, making things all the more interesting for the future of the world itself.

It is my responsibility to provide a creative, supportive and enjoyable environment for learning to play piano. Each lesson is created with student goals and interests in mind, while supporting all elements of a well-rounded musical education.

I teach, coach and lead beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Lessons include not only piano technique to express all the music contains, but also involves practical/applied music theory through arranging at the piano, basic composition, sight reading, and pertinent music history. These can all be a part of your lessons according to your abilities and willingness to explore all these wonderful areas.

Areas of transformation you will experience in my studio if you dedicate yourself to the required work, include:

1. Loving to play music at the piano so no one has to tell you to practice.

2. Be able to play very musically, with understanding, and with appropriate technique for your level, and true artistry (heart centered) for your level of playing.

3. Learn to play piano without tension or injury with a beautiful tone quality.

4. Be able to take a simple melody you can play or read, and add to it the chords, harmonies and other supporting elements to make it sound like a "real" piece of music.

5. Understand music theory, not only to pass an exam if you would like that, but also to apply it to each piece you play in a practical manner, so it is not just "theory" but is "real".

6. Learn to "sight-read" music.

7. Increase your self-confidence and ability to take control of your life through music study with me; "as in music - so in life".

8. Discover your unique gifts for how you express music at the piano.

I enjoy working with each student from beginning through advanced, because no matter the abilities of the student, I also take away something valuable from each student. Learning is never one way, we "teach" each other by simply being who we are.

I am new to reviews, as this was not normal in piano teaching the last decades. But times change. You can find some reviews of me on my own website, not the website here you are reading now.

Highlights

Hired 1 time

1 employee

Serves Tucson, AZ

Offers online services

Payment methods

Credit Card

Specialties

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Student has instrument

Students who have a piano, Students who have a keyboard

Interested musical styles

Classical, Pop, I can make recommendations

Photos and videos

Remote Student Laughing at Teacher's pun

No reviews (yet)

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Frequently asked questions

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

The process is unique for each student. Though beginner students learn the same concepts, for example, they end up being taught in a personalized, individual manner according to how each one best learns. I discover how you best learn starting with the first lessons. You will learn to play creatively, beautifully and expressively to not only please yourself but those for whom you play. Though a few of my students do not like playing for others, but for themselves only, that is also wonderful. Music starts with one person, right? Where it ends is up to you.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

Arizona State University, Student of Eugene Pridonoff. Florida State University, student of Leonidas Lipovetsky. University of Houston, student of Robert Brownlee.

Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.

I do have a standard pricing system. I have 2 tuition structures. The first tuition structure for lessons is similar to a private academic school with a specific number of lesson provided for the tuition you pay. There are 41 lessons scheduled over the 52-week year, plus recitals and access to student music festivals, theory and piano exams for interested students. There are two lesson durations: 45-minute weekly lesson $215/month, recommended for beginner to intermediate level students. 60-minute weekly lesson $286/month, recommended for early advanced and above students, and adult students. The second tuition structure is for less frequent lessons or for more flexibility in scheduling. This is a 60-minute lesson at $85, flexible schedule. This requires a two lessons per month minimum and that the lesson is finished by about 2 or 3 pm.

How did you get started teaching?

I started teaching while a student at the University of Houston, in the 1980's and loved it. The first opportunity landed in my lap without asking for it, teaching after hours at a private school ages 5-11. I added to that at another location, teaching teens and adults. No other career brings such fulfillment for me. I needed to stop teaching for a while, to go into other careers to raise a family, and returned to teaching again after my daughters were adults. There is nothing better than sharing my love of music with others as their teacher.

What types of students have you worked with?

All types, ages 5 through 80+, from those with autism, learning challenges, to those who won piano competitions and all in between. My students tell me I have an ability to reach them, keeping lessons engaging and moving them forward, to help discover the joy of music at the piano no matter their background with music, age or ability. I enjoy working with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Describe a recent event you are fond of.

One of my students was learning to play the Chopin Waltz in A minor, the one published after Chopin's death. He was unable to practice that week due to things that happened. I told him; "no problem, you will learn something new today". So I taught him how to transpose the first four measures to another key. When I explained how to think about it, and how to figure out the details, his eyes lit up and he was amazed he could do this at the lesson. He said, "Cool!".

What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?

I would advise these things in looking for a piano teacher: 1. Be sure to interview more than one teacher. It is important you feel your teacher resonates with you, that you easily have a rapport during the interview, that your teacher listens to what you say and responds in ways that makes sense to you. 2. Trust your gut feeling. First impressions, though perhaps not the final determining factor, are very important. 3. Choose a teacher who displays a passion for what they do. You can see in in their mannerisms, facial expressions, tone of voice, level of enthusiasm, etc. It's not about their own music education, or that they have been teaching for a long time: it's about loving what they do and thinking outside the box to "reach" each student. 4. There is an old saying the the good shepherd leaves the flock to go search for the one sheep that is lost to bring them back to the fold. It is this level of commitment to teaching each student that counts. Your teacher should display this ethic, as it announces itself over and over again in various ways through how they interact with you: "If you sincerely try, and do not ever give up, you will succeed". 5. The good teacher ALWAYS believes in his/her student.

What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

1. Think about your personal goals with music, be as specific as possible. 2. Determine how involved you really are, and are you willing to make the time to practice at least 5 days every week, because that is a minimum requirement to maintain progress. 3. Think about how you best learn: visual - hearing - hands on - or a combination of those ... and if you are better off with a teacher who gives you more of a coaching and mentoring approach, or do you benefit better from a teacher who gives you great detail in almost every aspect of your learning. Maybe you need some of both? Define this for yourself.

Services offered

Music Theory

Piano