.png)
Lessons
At the heart of our lessons is active music-making — singing, moving, playing, and creating. Singing naturally builds musical skills from the inside out, & it's one of the best ways to set students up for success on any instrument, whether they’re learning piano, violin, or general musicianship.
My teaching style is playful, nurturing, & built around small, manageable steps. Every child moves at their own pace, growing their confidence & skills at the same time. With each little success, students develop strong ears, steady rhythm, & a deep, lasting love of music. All students learn to read & understand music using moveable do solfege with hand signs (from John Curwen’s system) & the takadimi system of rhythm syllables. They will also naturally learn to play by ear & improvise along the way. Students do not need to be able to read before beginning lessons with me. In fact, as they learn to read music in our step-by-step approach, it will support their literacy skills.
Why Singing Matters
-
Every child has a voice. It's free and ready to use from birth
-
Singing with movement strengthens the body, ear, and mind
-
Musical self-esteem in adults is linked to their perception of singing skills
-
Once a good sense of pitch & rhythm are established, application to an instrument is easier
In every lesson, my goal is to make music a place where students feel successful, proud, and excited to keep learning — one small step at a time!
One registration form & fee per family, per year
Piano Lessons
Shared or Individual
Piano is a very natural way to begin learning music. In our lessons, your child won’t just learn to push the right keys — they'll develop real musical understanding from the very beginning.
We start off the bench, playing games and learning songs through singing & movement before ever applying them to the piano. Students begin with a two-line staff & concepts like “high–low” & “short–long,” which naturally grow into musical language like so–mi & ta tadi. Soon they will be writing their own songs using small toys, reading music, all the while being able to hear & understand the music they are playing.
We begin on the black keys using gentle “cat paw hands” (where the fingers work together as a unit) before moving toward more independent finger work later in the first book.
We use the Doremi Piano Sing & Play series, which blends Kodály-inspired musicianship with solid piano technique in a joyful and approachable way.
(Click here to learn more about the Doremi book we use)
Violin Lessons
Shared or Individual
Violin is a beautiful but intricate instrument, so lessons tend to be a bit more structured than piano in my studio. I work closely with both student & parent, especially in the early years, to build the strong foundation needed for success. Parent participation is expected during lessons & at home until your child finishes elementary school. Before we begin, we’ll have a phone consultation to chat about this commitment & make sure it’s a good fit for your family.
That said — violin lessons are still playful, musical, & full of joy! Your child will enjoy doing the activities that will prepare them for playing the violin with ease & confidence. We build fine motor skills, finger individuation, posture, & much more while singing & memorizing our songs on solfege syllables.
We use tools such as a dowel & box violin (for young students age 4-6) to help prepare the many details involved with holding the violin & bow correctly. With gentle structure & small steps, even this challenging instrument becomes approachable — & your child will feel proud of what they’re learning!
Voice Lessons
Singing is our first instrument — & it’s one every child already has! In voice lessons, we explore how to use that built-in instrument with confidence, ease, & joy.
We work on vocal exercises, breathing, posture (“tall body” singing!), timing, & expression — all in a playful, supportive way that meets each student where they are. Whether your child dreams of singing on stage or just wants to sing more freely & in tune, we build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Already taking piano or violin lessons with me? I offer a 15-minute voice lesson add-on to help students explore their voices in a focused, low-pressure way. It’s a great way to build musical confidence & start singing with more awareness.