Our lessons aim to help students become independent, creative musicians. While technique and well-practiced precision provide the foundation of our approach to teaching, we put special emphasis on the importance of artistry and expression, with the hopes that each student may ultimately discover his/her own creative voice through music.
Lessons
La Mùsica Bella teaching studio offers weekly private piano or violin lessons to any dedicated student, regardless of age, experience and ability level. Although we encourage students to travel to our southeast Portland studio, we also allow for lessons at the student's home by arrangement.
Curriculum
Although each student will have a unique curriculum tailored to their interests and learning styles, the following are constant:
Technique
Building a solid technical foundation from day-one is a critical step in achieving effortless, musical playing. Beginners will start by learning proper hand-position, posture, balance, coordination and weight transferring. Intermediate to advanced students will work on awareness of body and instrument-connection. Our approach to technique is most influenced by the French and Russian schools.
Musicality and Styles
Students will have the opportunity and will be encouraged to explore and appreciate different types of music, from composers across all eras, nationalities and styles. Students will be taught how to look beyond the notes, to seek out the embedded musicality of each piece - emotions, observations of nature and intellect left by the composer - all the while being encouraged to add their own musical interpretations to truly 'awaken' each piece.
Theory
Students will be coached in the essential parameters of the music language, starting from note reading, rhythm, form and analysis.
Composing
While most music teachers focus solely on the instrument, our students are encouraged to compose their own music in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the rest of the curriculum. While it may seem intimidating at first, students begin by improvising on the piano, and are then taught how easy it is to transpose that music on to paper.
Performance
We believe that students learn just as much about music by performing for others as they do in a lesson-setting. All of our students will have the opportunity to attend recital classes where they will have a chance to perform and learn from their peers. Recital classes are held every 3-4 months.
(503) 616-3871