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My Motto: Play Music You Love
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• My lessons involve all facets of music, from playing by ear, theory and ear training, to songs and technique. Classical music and music theory are a part of every lesson, but all other styles are important as well. My students are exposed to a variety of styles - classical, jazz, blues, popular, hymns, sing-along-songs, new age, etc. • I welcome adult students who may be looking for some musical enjoyment later in life. It is never too late to start playing music, and playing music crosses all generations. I believe, adults should have an equal opportunity to enjoy playing their favorite melodies. Half of my students are adults, who are fulfilling their dream to be able to play this beautiful instrument. Sometimes I have 2 members of a family as students, and they enjoy playing together. Isn't it great: Mom and daughter, playing Christmas carols, or a Grandmother, who helps her little grandson to find the right way how to play a song that she just learned in her lesson... • I especially enjoy teaching children. I offer a comfortable atmosphere for learning that fosters a love and appreciation for all that music has to offer. On a lesson, we will cover a wide variety of "classical" repertoire and include any music style or song(s) that interest you and your child. • I offer theory lessons for students, who already can play piano, and who would like to know more about chords, their structure, reading chords from "Easy-play" books, and learning how to make your own arrangement for these chords, how to play accompaniment to any solo instrument or voice, transpose, create your own music, and write music. • Music Technology - MIDI, digital keyboards integrated with lessons. The technology is used to supplement, not replace, piano lessons. CDs, MIDI Disks, and MIDI Recordings - students record their pieces in MIDI format, or play along with recorded music at speed suitable for their current level. • Piano parties and recitals - 2 performance opportunities throughout the year. • In addition to learning technique, students in my studio receive training in basic musicianship skills, music history, and ear-training. • Play and sing! Learn to sing songs and play chords as a background. I believe that learning an instrument is a challenge but should be fun. I hate to see students held down by the "you must do this my way" approach to teaching. Each person is different, therefore the way in which they are taught should be unique to their personality. I work with each student on his/ her own program. Depending on a student's goals, I find music pieces to play, and give them to my students. I provide a choice of several pieces, so they may choose those, that are most exciting for them.
My students learn how to read music, how to play favorite songs by ear and from sheet music, and to find the right harmony to melodies. Lessons are 30 minutes in length, once a week, although one hour lessons are available upon request. My goal is to teach everyone to play, understand, appreciate music, and enjoy it!
This page was last updated on 06/09/04. |
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Call for rates and to schedule an appointment: (719)231-1616, Lana Smith, or e-mail me: lana_piano@hotmail.com
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Hi,
I am Lana Smith.
I have taught piano for 16 years in Russia, and then 6 years in USA.
I don't use any one method of teaching, rather, I try to incorporate
several different methods according to the students needs and goals.
