PIANO + VOICE LESSONS
FOR ALL AGES
"What I appreciate most about her teaching is that she really conveyed the idea of playing and enjoying music instead of just concentrating on following notes on the sheet in front of me. I started to understand what the notations could bring to the piece instead of mindlessly and often awkwardly trying to follow them."
- Janet M. (adult student)
PIANO AND VOICE TEACHER IN ROCHESTER, NY
"Siena’s ambition, energy and passion for music was what I had hoped my son would experience with his first exposure to studying music. Siena was able to quickly identify his strengths and interest and seemed to know how to approach his lessons with a successful balance of fun and structure. She was clear with her expectations without stifling his interest and playfulness."
- Vicki M.
"She is an awesome teacher! She was very enthusiastic and completely supportive of what I was interested in during our lesson. I definitely saw myself improve while taking lessons with her!"
- Sarah R.
"Siena taught me essentially from the start. While I had played when I was younger, I had not played in many years and had not exactly demonstrated much musical dedication or talent when I started learning from her. She taught me quickly and I began to take piano more seriously under her. I went from no practice to a few minutes a day. Her enthusiasm for piano and music was infectious and I have become more invested since her lessons. Now I take regular weekly lessons and play in the jazz band at my school."
- Jacob M-A.
"If you’re looking for a piano teacher, go with Siena. She taught me the notes, how to understand piano. She’s very nice and kind and she can understand you."
- Dax M.
MY PHILOSOPHY:
Music is deeply personal. I teach music so that my students can find ways to find themselves in their music. I believe that it is the teacher’s job to understand a student’s creative mind as much as possible in order to develop that student’s technical and musical abilities. I fully believe that anyone can, and should, play music to utilize and love throughout their life.
MY TEACHING STYLE:
My piano lessons are centered first and foremost around the student’s interests and goals with music. I teach classical piano technique and musical elements in a way that fits each student’s learning style, so that lessons are always engaging and interesting. My students learn how to read music, how to strengthen their “piano” fingers, how to improve finger dexterity, how to get the sounds they want out of the piano, how to play with their instincts as well as their minds, how to listen to themselves and others, and, most importantly, they learn to love music.
My piano students come away from each lesson with strengthened fingers, ears, and minds. I consider ear training very important in the development of a musician, so I teach pieces and songs by ear as well as note-reading. I love music theory, so it comes up everywhere in my lessons. I will never give you or your child theory worksheets that drill concepts, but instead treat theory an an organic, fun part of the learning process. Depending on the student, I may incorporate improvisation and composition into lessons, as well as pop music and lead sheets, songwriting, visualizing music, duets, blues patterns, and musical games.
I expect my students to practice away from the lesson each week so that playing becomes a real, and natural, part of their lives. I understand, however, that lives are busy and unpredictable. I always work with my students earnestly on whatever they bring for the lesson, whether they practiced it at home or not.
"While she focused on their development as players, her priority was instilling in them a love of piano. She absolutely succeeded! Our kids smiled throughout their lessons and happily practiced each week."
- Jen and Dan M-A.