Lisa Macfarlane

I start by assessing the student's needs. We usually start with basics - keeping good form and posture, beginning to read music, and keeping rhythm. I will suggest an 'easy' piece well within the student's abilities, and also one that's a little harder to have a challenge to work towards. I will help the student understand not only 'what' to practice, but 'how' to practice on their own to set masterful musical habits. 

I've been performing several times a month and teaching full time since 2015. I have studied voice with four different teachers throughout my 15 years singing, 2 different piano teachers (though I began teaching myself to play and read music from piano books at age 4). I began studying guitar in 2005, and have been writing and performing music on the piano, guitar, and recording and producing my own music since 2007. I have both a theoretical and practical knowledge of best habits for performing, overcoming common performance obstacles, and maximizing performance potential. I've even worked with singing students who didn't really think they could learn to sing well - and they always really can! 

Special pricing for Spring 2019 is $100 per student, and $90 for each additional student (Family Discount). If you start now, you can keep that lower price as long as you continue lessons. 

I started teaching because I had so many people coming up to me after my shows to ask if I teach lessons. Once I got started I realized that I love teaching as much as I love performing!

I have worked with beginning to advanced students, including students with learning disabilities, adhd, autism, and students as young as 4 years old. 

I've worked with students advanced in soloing and working on complex music theory, songwriting, and recording. 

I have a lot of students that are shy and not ready to perform - but sometimes my students are ready to give anything a try! I was able to perform with my student for her very first public performance playing the guitar and singing at the same time. She had never performed publically at all. I loved being there to help her focus and work through the nerves - and then tell her she did great afterwards! I love helping my students accomplish things they never thought they would. 

Get started! It's my job to get my students playing their instrument right away, and just jump right in. You can do that on your own with a laptop or music book, or you can hire a teacher. The real determining factor is you, the student, and your desire to learn. 

What do you know about playing so far? What lessons have you had? What are your goals? Where would you like to perform, and what type of music? What is easy for you and what is hard for you about your instrument?