Yes! My students include engineers, academics, lawyers, and other high-achieving professionals who bring the same seriousness to music that they apply to their careers. If you hold yourself to a high standard and want a teacher who does the same, we’ll work well together.
My students are self-motivated adults who have chosen to invest in their musical development, so I trust them to manage their own practice without being assigned a specific number of hours. I teach my students how to practice efficiently to achieve specific goals, not fill a time quota.
Returning adult students can make fast progress because foundational music skills rarely disappear entirely. These students have the added advantage of being self-motivated, emotionally mature, and able to understand and apply complex ideas quickly.
My oldest student is in his 80s and still making progress!
This is one of the most common goals among my vocal students. Private lessons can give choral singers the individual technical attention they need to audition for higher-level choruses and solo opportunities, or simply sing with greater ease and enjoyment.
I’ve taught at MIT since 2010, so this is my specialty. My students are engineering and science majors — not because music isn’t central to their lives, but because they made a deliberate choice about their career path.
I work with these students on advanced repertoire at a high technical standard, with the same expectations I’d bring to any conservatory-level student. Watch some of my students’ performances here.
Having heard hundreds of auditions and pre-screening recordings, I know what juries are looking for and which repertoire choices are so over-performed that they work against a candidate. I can help you select repertoire that showcases your strengths and bring your technique and musicianship to an audition-ready standard.
I offer coaching by appointment for students who already have a strong foundation but need targeted help at a specific moment.
I have more than 15 years of experience preparing students for recordings, auditions, and performances. We work on repertoire selection, technical problem areas, stylistic polish, and the psychological preparation needed to perform at your best under pressure.
Piano lessons for advanced students
The Emerson/Harris Program at MIT offers merit-based scholarships for private lessons by competitive audition. Half scholarships and full scholarships are available depending on level of achievement and commitment.
Scholarship recipients may study with me or other piano instructors affiliated with the program. Auditions take place once a year at the start of fall semester. Learn more
Piano lessons for all levels
Students who are able to pay out-of-pocket for lessons may contact me for private lessons or a referral to an appropriate instructor.
Prospective MIT students
Pianists with exceptional talent are welcome to submit a supplement with their application via SlideRoom. Learn more