Piano Brilliance

Piano Brilliance

5.0(3 reviews)

About

I have played the piano for over half a century so it is no exaggeration to say that piano is my life's work. I have taught the piano for over 30 years and I do it full time, not as a side business. I am 100% dedicated to the success of my students and love seeing them add the joy of music to their lives. I specialize in advanced adult students, as well as adult beginners and adults returning to the piano after an absence. At the moment I am not teaching children. My emphasis is on the joy and creativity of music-making, and keeping the learning process fun and satisfying is my first priority. I depart from most traditional teaching methods in that I start with playing by ear, learning to pick out simple songs by ear and learning how to harmonize them with basic chords. When the student has some basic keyboard skills we proceed to reading. I teach classical, jazz and pop styles (which means playing from charts or fake books), and include improvisation as a part of the process. I have an innovative approach to technique, ear-training, sight-reading, memorization, and theory.


Highlights

Hired 3 times
Serves Kirkland , WA

Details

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

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 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, Students who have neither

Interested musical styles

Classical, Jazz, Pop, I can make recommendations

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    AP

    Alexander P.

    I really enjoy my morning piano lessons with Deborah because it is one of the few times in the week where I have a full hour to slow down and engage in something challenging and creative. There is something about playing the piano that activates an entirely different part of my brain. After playing for just one hour I feel completely energized and have some of the most productive days in my job as a software engineer. Deborah creates a fantastic environment where I get to choose what I want to play and how much I want to practice, yet she pushes me enough where I feel progress after every single lesson. I feel very happy that I found her and look forward to many more lessons to come.
    ... Show more
    August 05, 2021

    -K

    -- K.

    Ive been fortunate to connect with Deborah and learn from a true artist and a highly skilled professional. My life is full of complex tasks -- both technical and creative -- and one of my priorities is challenging my mind to continue growing so I can deliver at a high level. So, as a new challenge and creative pursuit, I started learning piano from scratch as an adult.
    Deborah is simply terrific. She combines artistry and flow with method and technique in a way that keeps me moving forward, adjusting page as needed depending on my lifestyle demands. She seems to know everything there is about music theory, and, more importantly, makes it applicable and always finds a way to explain and demonstrate to make progress possible and engaging. Juliana Jade, Jadecastle Media CEO and private pilot
    ... Show more
    August 05, 2021

    JI

    Jim I.

    Student Testimonials
    I am a committed and knowledgeable classical musician who decided to take lessons again after working on my own for the past 30 years. I was frankly skeptical (as were others) about what any teacher could do for me at this stage of my life and musical development. But working with Deborah has been a welcome surprise. She has revitalized my piano playing, and with it my entire musical awareness. Through working with Deborah I’m learning to deconstruct some of the old habits that had made my playing sound mechanical and labored. She’s teaching me to get out of the way and let my natural musicianship emerge through the fog of old methods and beliefs about what constitutes good practicing. Her approach makes the learning of new pieces more enjoyable, and also leads to a greater understanding of what the music is wanting to say. While I am what most would consider an advanced student, I can see how it would have been great to start with Deborah too—and more than ever I think she’s made me a believer that adult students can learn with the same delight and discovery as any child.
    ... Show more
    August 05, 2021

    Frequently asked questions

    It depends on the student's interests and prior experience

    Bachelor of Music, Manhattan School of Music


    Services offered

    Piano