MUSIC LESSONS
Personal Development Through Music for Adults
Personal Development Through Music is the result of over forty years of teaching and a lifelong exploration of holistic approaches to health, learning, and well-being. This method helps adults reconnect with their creativity and learn music in a way that feels fun, freeing, and deeply meaningful.
The seed for this approach was planted during my time as a conservatory clarinetist, when I experienced the Alexander Technique for the first time. After just one lesson, my playing improved noticeably, not because I practiced more, but because my body and mind were working together in a new, more conscious way. That experience was a revelation. It inspired me to become a certified Alexander Technique teacher and opened up a whole new world of learning and teaching.
Traditional music education often promotes the belief that talent and relentless practice are the only paths to becoming a great musician. But this mindset can discourage students and shut people out, especially those who come to music later in life or don’t fit into rigid molds.
In my work, I’ve found something different. When we remove those barriers and outdated expectations, students begin to experience music as a form of personal expression and emotional freedom. They grow in confidence, skill, and joy because the learning process meets them where they are.
This is more than just music instruction. It’s a holistic, student-centered approach to learning that brings body, mind, and spirit into harmony through sound.
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Child of a Parent with Unrealistically High Expectations
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This first student is the classic story of a parent whose high expectations created a block. A high achiever, this person is very successful in work and as a parent, but struggles with her piano playing even though she had lessons throughout childhood. Noticing that even now her parent manifested in her physicality at the piano (they used to sit together during practice while the parents demanded perfection), we discovered she still carried this trauma with her. Greater awareness helped her let g,o and her piano playing improved immediately.
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Severe Eye Problems
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Another student experiences complicated eye problems that prevent working or driving. She wanted to take up the piano for herself and to enjoy music with her grandchildren. Further, she did not know how to read music. My approach proved perfect as I always begin with developing the ear. Through our work together, her life has been deeply enhanced with both her husband and grandkids, and she has also experienced a big improvement in self-confidence, even taking on new projects despite her eye issues.
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Alexander Technique and Freer Musical Expression
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A third student, in this case, of the Alexander Technique, began to see how the principles of Alexander could apply to and enhance their already excellent music skills. Acquiring skills at that level is often accompanied by limiting ideas as well as patterns of tension, that hold us back. Through the marrying of these methods and skills, they've experienced significantly greater creative expression and discovered more capability than they thought they had.
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If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule a session, contact me.
My Methods in Action
“When we sing, it seems it gets brighter in the room” FB, age 10
You Learn:
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Lots of terrific, age-appropriate songs;
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Movement and rhythm games that improve coordination;
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How to listen to music and remember the melody;
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How to reproduce those melodies on an instrument;
Sing-Play is a dynamic music and movement teaching process that is easy and effective for children of all ages and cognitive abilities. The process enhances students’ innate love of music while facilitating mastery of an instrument.
Sing-Play for Kids
If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule a session, contact me»
Instruction in:
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Piano
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Voice
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Clarinet
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Saxophone
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Ukulele
Sing-Play helps kids develop their creativity as they learn to sing and play all their favorite songs. Music notation is only taught when the child expresses an interest in learning how to do so.
My music teaching is also informed by my training as a teacher of the Alexander Technique. I guide my students to help the adopt good breathing and postural practices, including the best way to hold an instrument, sit on a piano bench and stand at full natural height naturally and without strain.