The Approach

My number one goal as a teacher is to catalyze a positive and inspiring relationship with music for my students.  Mine is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead one grounded in a flexible and intuitive teaching process that I am able to facilitate due to my eclectic background as a composer and artist.  The methods I provide are aimed to be of highest value for seeding long-term musical enjoyment and ability, whether we meet for one lesson for a hundred.  Each student is considered as an individual, so musical goals and means of reaching them may vary widely from one student to the next.  I provide new relevant materials and hand-outs on a regular basis, with personalized curricula and original arrangements/exercises for short and long-term learning goals.  Traditional method books are also utilized depending on the student’s needs and ambitions.

Lessons with me are characterized by their highly customized, flowing structure, and most of all, their creative approach to the process of learning music.  Because the technical and mental demands of gaining musical skill require a deep passion and long-term patience on the part of the student, my mindset as a teacher is geared towards igniting the student’s own personal strengths, interests, and connection to playing music in a way that will motivate continuous development.

For more information on what I teach, check out FAQ page. Also take a look at my Teaching Blog — where a range of specific technical and philosophical subjects are addressed in detail!

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What Makes Lessons with Christopher Unique:

  • Working with a prolific and versatile songwriter, composer, and lyricist

  • Personalized curriculum, drawing on both traditional literature (method books, technical studies, repertoire) and original study materials/handouts

  • Exposure to a broad array of resources and how to use them— from traditional scores, to lead sheets, to solfege and ear-training, to online music apps

  • Holistic mind/body/soul approach tailored to student age, temperament, and skills

  • Creative coaching and guidance

  • Instruction on producing music with Digital Audio Workstations

  • Introduction to broader themes of human potential; meditation, art, history, psychology, science, philosophy, metaphysics, etc.

  • Songwriting and analysis of song structure

  • Improvisation exercises, assisted composition assignments

  • Customized exercises, quizzes, original pieces, etudes, and learning materials as printed sheet music

  • Customized transcriptions/arrangements of any desired songs and themes, arranged for the student’s playing level, as printed sheet music

  • Curated exposure to music in myriad styles, from rock to baroque, impressionist to modern minimalism, jazz to top-40 pop

  • Study of music history and musical instrument history

  • Video documentation of student work

  • Participation in recitals

  • Research projects, quizzes, attendance of live performances