Going Back

I’ve been drawn to those keys for as long as I can remember.

The first of the countless piano lessons in which I would come to take part occurred at age six, my formal classical training culminating decades later during my third year in the Georgia State University music program. Along the way, there were dalliances with the cello and drum set, myriad sessions of jazz theory study with private instructors, and, not to be understated, hours upon hours of music listening.

My professional career got underway in the early nineties, during which I worked primarily as a solo performer. Over the next dozen years, I was fortunate enough to share the stage with acclaimed local talents such as The Lost Continentals, Kingsized, Greasepaint, Puddles Pity Party and Sean Costello while providing opening support for the likes of Tony Bennett, Brian Setzer, Tenacious D and Neko Case, among other artists who often populated my CD collection.

Midway through my performing stint, I began teaching piano lessons in a music store on a part-time basis, eventually going on to establish my own studio by the start of the new millennium. The ensuing years would see me shift to providing instruction full-time in my students’ homes and after-school programs. Today, my virtual studio and website offer added convenience and innovative learning options for students of all ages and experience levels.

Going Forward

My central aim is to provide music instruction that is:

Personalized
Every student is unique, each possessing goals, talents, motivations and lifestyles that are exclusive to them alone. An approach suitable for a young beginner interested in classical repertoire is unlikely to benefit an experienced adult wanting to learn jazz improv. I embrace these distinctions, measuring progress not against external grading benchmarks, but rather the stated objectives of the individual, always in furtherance of artistic expression. My lesson plans are similarly one-of-a-kind, shaped with an eye towards making students feel cultivated, not evaluated.

Effective
What to teach is only part of the equation. Consideration must also be given to how the brain processes and stores information, the mechanisms by which movement is ingrained, and the detrimental impact of stress upon learning. Without taking such factors into account, even the most consistent practice regimen will be significantly compromised. I provide a relaxed, upbeat lesson space with interactive guidance that cuts through the noise, helping students to stay engaged, learn more efficiently, maximize their practice time, and achieve results.

Accessible
I’ll say it: music lessons are costly. Steep rates and all-or-nothing pricing structures pose a barrier to entry for many a prospective student and can force existing students navigating a temporary busy stretch into making the hard choice of ending instruction altogether. Too often, lesson durations are chosen for their financial viability, not because they best serve the needs of the student. I set pricing with fiscal flexibility in mind, hopeful that a greater number of budding pianists from all economic backgrounds can gain and maintain access to quality music education.