TEACHING

Caleb has taught private piano lessons for over ten years to more than 100 students. These students' ages range from 5 - 80 with abilities from absolute beginner to advanced. These lessons heavily incorporate music theory, history, technique, performance, improvisation, and composition. Caleb is comfortable teaching from a variety of method books and pulling from many different genres and styles to keep students interested and engaged in lessons. Caleb has also taught lessons in cello, organ, and voice. 

PHILOSOPHY  

My purpose as a piano teacher is to promote a passion and love for the piano, and a mature understanding of music. I will help students to make lasting emotional connections in their playing, create meaningful music, and successfully share that music with others. A thorough understanding of rhythm, music dictation, vocabulary, theory, and musical interpretation is consistently sought after and achieved in every lesson. Through this life-long instrument, you or your child can find a reliable and endless means of expression, and most importantly self-definition.

In my teaching, I put a heavy emphasis on the ability to read music quickly and accurately, as well as a strong foundation in technique and theory. Students are expected to learn and memorize all notation, symbols, and vocabulary that are presented to them before moving on to the next piece. When starting new students in piano lessons, I usually will start them in the Faber Piano Adventures series, but I am willing and comfortable teaching with a number of different method books including but not limited to Bastien, Alfred, Thompson, and Music Tree. I often combine multiple methods to best suit the needs and progress of each individual student. Despite what method is used with any given student, every student's study will be supplemented with outside music to keep them engaged and interested. The student and I discuss together what they would like to play and which pieces they are or aren't enjoying. 

There are many benefits that come as a result of hours, weeks, months, and years of practicing and mastering this instrument. Pianists exhibit traits of diligence, discipline, time management skills, the ability to prioritize, excellent problem-solving abilities, patience, passion, confidence, and the incredible ability to multitask and think quickly. These are behaviors that extend far beyond the ebony and ivory and really do help to shape the character and personality of perseverant pianists. 

The piano and music have brought more joy and fulfillment into my life than just about anything else. It is a constant source of emotional support for me and is a solid foundation when nothing else is sure. The piano is the center of my home and a strong uniting force in my family and can be in yours as well!