Piano Lessons In Freehold, NJ

Expert Piano Instruction in Freehold, NJ

As a professional keyboardist and piano teacher in Freehold, NJ, I enjoy helping people learn how to play the piano every day. I’ve been a musician, educator, and composer for over five decades, most recently as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Freehold and as a teacher at Red Bank Catholic High School. I would be happy to share some of what I’ve learned with you.

Your Goals Are My Goals

I don’t start lessons with my student with a particular set of expectations - I will work with you to set goals, understand what you want from the piano, and create a roadmap for those goals. Some parents want their children to have a strong foundation and understanding of music that will lead to a lifetime of music-making; I will make sure these beginners know the fundamentals of technique, note reading, and theory. Some adults want to be able to jam with friends or share their favorite songs with others - I can help you do that as well.

Even if you’re a retired individual who has always wanted to be able to sight read or play the music of your favorite composer, we’ll work together to accomplish what you have in mind. 

Piano Lessons in Freehold, NJ For All Ages

Piano Lessons For Adults

Adults often bring a more cerebral approach to the piano, and I love answering questions, discussing concepts, and more. Commonly, adults will tell me that they have a specific deficiency, whether it be reading notes fluently, playing music by ear, or playing the piano without pain or tension. I’ve encountered it all, and we will work together to make you a confident, independent pianist.

Beliefs and Mission

Mission Statement

Our music community is a group of passionate musicians united by a shared belief in the transformative power of music. We believe that music is a divine gift that has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people across cultures and borders. Our mission is to share this gift with the world by creating beautiful music that uplifts the hearts and spirits of our audiences and fellow musicians, whether we are teaching, performing, or learning. Through our commitment to excellence, teamwork, and creativity, we aim to create a community of harmony, joy, and inspiration that enriches the lives of all who encounter it.

Belief Statement

We believe that music has the power to transform individuals and communities, and that every student has the potential to achieve musical excellence with the right tools, guidance, and support. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and collaboration, and that fosters a love of music that will last a lifetime.

All Skill Levels Are Welcome

Beginner Piano Lessons in Freehold, NJ

The piano can be an intimidating instrument, and we’ve all heard about the countless hours pianists like Marc-André Hamelin, Adym Kholodenko, and Yuja Wang have spent in the practice room. But my goal is to bring the piano back down to earth for you - in short, I want to help you read music fluently, play with both hands, and play without pain.

I take a different approach to each beginner at the piano, and lessons will suit your strengths and goals. If you practice consistently, it really won’t take that long before you are playing the music you love at a proficient level.

Lessons For Experienced Pianists

If you already play the piano at an intermediate or advanced level, I will work with you to take your playing to the next level. For some pianists, that means incorporating new drills and etudes to increase speed. For other musicians, you might “break through the plateau” by interpreting your music more carefully and playing with more variation and dynamics.

For advanced pianists, it may be appropriate to carefully select repertoire that will position you well at auditions and festivals. We can also work on performance strategy and preparation, and together, we will maximize your playing potential.

We Can Meet Virtually As Well

Whether you don’t live in close proximity to a competent teacher, or your schedule doesn’t allow for in-person piano lessons, I am happy to meet with you online. We can accomplish a great deal in virtual piano lessons, and as long as you have a decent camera and microphone, we can still work on technique, posture, musicality, and any pianistic concept necessary. I do recommend that we have a test call to make sure we can get the most out of lessons.

Piano Lessons For Any Genre

My teaching style technically follows the “classical” approach, and I do believe it properly sets the stage for any genre you want to learn. Please let me know if you are interested in pursuing jazz, rock, pop, gospel, or other genres, though; the key differences between genres typically lie in music theory and technical demands. In jazz, you will need to learn specific modes, scales, and progressions, for instance. The blues is a more basic version of jazz, but it’s a great introduction to jazz scales and modes. Rock keyboard playing is simpler than you might think, and I can teach you how to read lead sheets, improvise in a given key, and more.

Piano Lesson Pricing + Other Policies

Fees For Kids and Teens

My pricing information (for both in-studio or online lessons) is as follows:

• 30 minute lessons: $42.50

Payment for the month is due by the start of the first lesson of the month.

Fees For Adults

Pricing for monthly ongoing enrollment (for both in-studio or online lessons) is as follows:

• 30 minute lessons: $42.50

I also offer a flexible lesson option for adults. These lessons are $80 apiece, with the following features:

• No ongoing commitment

• Lessons are schedule by appointment - no fixed schedule

• Hour-long duration

• No future obligation

Missed Lessons

If you must cancel a lesson, I do ask for 24 hours of notice. I will either issue a credit or offer a make-up lesson (this applies to students enrolled in monthly lessons - the adult flex lessons have more leeway).

Why Take In-Person Lessons Instead of Using an App?

YouTube, Simply Piano, and Flowkey offer the opportunity to learn the piano from the comfort of home without a weekly lesson commitment, so are in-person lessons with an experienced teacher obsolete? No - in fact, the benefit of live piano lessons has never been greater.

Apps and free videos can teach you how to read notes, how to sit at the piano, and even music theory and other concepts. But working with a teacher is a dynamic experience that changes depending on your specific goals, deficiencies, and learning preferences. If a certain concept doesn’t make sense to you in a learning app, you’re stuck - that’s the one learning angle provided. Furthermore, if you are learning something wrong, there’s nobody there to stop you.

I create a personalized learning progression for each student, teach you how to practice on your own, and hold you accountable to the concepts we have been discussing. I also think it’s a great idea to use an app to aid in your daily piano practice - it can “gamify” the practice experience and keep you consistent.

What Can You Do With Your New Piano Knowledge?

Children who take piano lessons often increase their self esteem, find additional social opportunities with other musical peers, and learn the value of practicing a skill first-hand. Whether they grow up to pursue music professionally or use it as a hobby, nobody regrets learning how to play the piano well.

Adults often enroll in lessons as way to engage better with their favorite music; going to the orchestra, listening to jazz, or writing rock songs is much more rewarding if you understand the intricacies of music theory. Adults often find greater self-confidence when they also learn music, and it can unlock the ability to participate in church worship, play in community ensembles, or start a band.

In short, music is a highly rewarding pursuit regardless of your age, and I would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Get Started: Piano Lessons in Freehold & Piano Lessons in Howell, NJ

If you’d like to learn how to play the piano, read music, perform with more confidence, or anything else, please get in touch. I would enjoy speaking with you and hearing about your goals at the piano.

I teach right in the heart of Freehold off W Main Street, and if you are a piano student driving in from Howell, I’m a quick drive up Rt. 9.