WHAT BOOKS OR RESOURCES DO I NEED?

I provide a recommended curriculum by level, but the exact materials you’ll need will be confirmed during your first few lessons. Direct links to the specific books and apps are available in the student section of this website.

BEGINNER

At the beginner stage, the focus is on building a strong foundation at the piano. Students learn good posture and hand position, decoding musical notation, and playing basic rhythms. The fundamentals of music theory will be introduced. By the end of this stage, students will be able to comfortably sight-read simple pieces, play with two hands, and have a basic understanding of keyboard geography and coordination of movement.

Elementary level students expand on beginner level skills by strengthening their reading, playing more complex rhythms, and understanding the fundamentals of healthy piano technique. At this level, students begin to learn scales and how to effectively practice them. In addition to their core method book, students may also learn simple arrangements of classical pieces or pop songs. By the end of the elementary stage, students will be able to identify key signatures, understand some basic principles of fingering, play pieces in several time signatures, and be able to incorporate aspects of musicality into their playing--e.g., dynamics, phrasing.

The intermediate stage opens the door to a much broader range of music. Students explore a variety of repertoire in four eras--Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st century. At this level students continue to develop musicality, bringing their own ideas and preferences to interpretation. By the end of this level, students will know all major and minor scales, the fundamentals of functional harmony, and will be skilled in problem solving with the pieces they are working on. The intermediate level repertoire is vast, and students typically spend years at this level, giving them a strong foundation to eventually approach advanced repertoire.

Advanced students focus on artistry and mastery. The goal is not just technical accuracy but interpretation—bringing music to life with nuance, style, and personal expression. At this level, students refine technique for freedom and ease at the keyboard, study historical and cultural context to inform their interpretations, and take on advanced repertoire across genres. The emphasis is always on deepening musicianship and cultivating a confident, mature artistic voice.

Practice is most effective when it’s intentional and organized. Simply running through a piece from start to finish may feel rewarding, but it’s not the fastest way to grow. Together, we’ll design a routine that works for you, often including:
- Warm-ups such as scales or technical drills
- Focused work on small sections of a piece
- Targeted exercises drawn directly from your music
While scales are essential, I take a selective approach with technical drills—sometimes creating custom exercises or adapting music you’re already playing so your practice directly supports your goals.

Here’s how I generally categorize levels in my studio:
- Beginner – Working with introductory method books
- Elementary – Progressing through the next level of method books and easier repertoire
- Intermediate – From early intermediate works to late intermediate repertoire (e.g., easier Baroque inventions, Classical sonatinas, or Romantic character pieces)
- Advanced – Playing at a high technical and musical level, including advanced classical repertoire and other styles

Progress varies from student to student. Your pace depends on where you begin, how consistently you practice, and what your goals are. Growth is rarely linear—sometimes you’ll make quick leaps, and at other times, progress will feel more gradual. My role is to guide you steadily through both, ensuring you continue building skills and confidence over time.