Piano Experience
I have been playing piano for roughly 17 years, initially teaching myself a lot of the musical and instrumental concepts, but soon taking lessons to help refine my playing and learn more about the ins and outs of the piano. I took lessons in this way for quite a few years until becoming more comfortable with complex, challenging pieces including those of Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Schubert.
A number of years into my playing experience, I finished among the top 4 in the Littleton Symphony Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition with Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto.
I expanded my piano experience by playing keys in the jazz band, although I later moved on to the trumpet in these groups. Before this, I took on the piano part for the musical, handling the entire repertoire along side a buddy who worked the synth parts.
In 2012, I attended the Lamont School of Music Pre-College Academy for Piano performance and studied under multiple instructors, as well as in a dedicated chamber group and with multiple master classes.
Briefly afterwards, I trained under the Taubman technique throughout the next year, and have continued working on repertoire under this framework since.
I continue teaching piano, taking advanced instruction in it, and working on my online presence and content creation.
Teaching Experience
I began teaching piano as my very first occupation and continue it to this day.
I started teaching piano roughly 8 years into my study of it, and have been doing so for over 10 years now. I initially started by taking on beginning students as I gained more experience, and this was my full occupation for a few years into it. I added on academic tutoring to my list of teaching experience and occupational ventures (as well as being a Teaching Assistant in college) and continue doing so to this day. I also started teaching composition because of my extensive experience in music and music writing (whether for piano solo, or for larger orchestrations) and am taking students on in this subject as well!
Teaching has always been my job, because I understand how students learn and can impart my knowledge to them in an efficient and effective way.
I have learned a lot in teaching for all of these years, including how to effectively play the piano as well as how to impart it to other students so they’re able to also succeed in their technique and musicality.
I’m currently taking on intermediate and advanced piano students and composition students, both locally and nonlocally (online).
Musical Experience
In addition to my piano experience listed before, I have other extensive experience in music as well.
I played the trumpet for almost a decade, including lead positions in various concert bands and jazz bands. I played 1st chair in much of the concert music as well as some lead trumpet parts in the jazz big band and combos.
I arranged some music in these groups that were performed during some concerts and also played piano and trumpet for them.
I have worked extensively with composing and arranging music for large orchestral groups as well as piano solo, and recently took on teaching composition for interested students too. Although the piano is the best instrument for improving with theory and composition, I teach non-piano students in composition as well.
I have played in groups of many kinds, from jazz big bands and combos to classical chamber groups, and know many of the ins and outs of musicality in general. I have also accompanied singers as an accompanist.
I’m happy to hear from you about your musical needs and see if we’re a good fit!