Hi! I'm a private music tutor, and I specialize in the areas of music theory, ear training and sight singing. I am dedicated and patient, and passionate about music, and about teaching!
My goal is to help students really understand what they are studying. With music especially, I find that often simple concepts are made way too complicated by the way they are taught. I focus on simplifying things and making concepts as clear as possible. I have over 12 years of tutoring experience overall, including five specifically in music.
Music is supposed to be music, not some intellectual theory exercise. I've seen entire books that talk all day about music, but never once teach you how to hear what they're talking about! But this absolutely can be learned, it's a skill, just like reading, or talking, that comes with practice. But it is also important to have someone knowledgeable show you how to focus your attention and how to get better at it. You will find yourself being able to do things you never thought you could! And when your ear understands what you're learning, all of a sudden everything gets so much easier; and you can ace your music theory tests with flying colors!
I used to think I had a pretty good ear. That is, until I started studying ear training as part of the Grove School of Music program; I started finding out that I wasn't nearly as good as I thought. And sometimes it was a struggle. But what I learned as it went along is, it really doesn't matter what your natural skill level is-- the main thing is to find out what to practice to get better, and then to put in the effort. And the more effort you put in, the better you will get!
I can tailor lessons precisely toward the student's goals. Whether you desire to get better at the basics of music theory, melody, harmony, rhythm, or more advanced subjects such as chromatic harmony, modal harmony, orchestration, arranging, etc., I can help you attain your goals. My aim is to teach students to hear music in their head, understand music that they listen to, look at music on paper and know what it sounds like without the use of an instrument, and to gain the ability to write music they hear in their head down on paper. These skills then lead to the ability to pursue music in the way you want, and to break through any walls that may be holding you back from reaching your potential. I have studied under the Grove School of Music's wonderful program, where the focus is on learning music in a way that actually translates in the real world, utilizing methods that develop one's musicianship to the point of becoming proficient and professional. I have also studied piano and jazz harmony privately with a number of high-level contemporary musicians. I am currently furthering my studies in the areas of orchestration, composition, and music engraving.
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