"Dear Laurie, Thank you for introducing the joy of playing piano to our son. He loves to play on his own and I can tell that playing the piano makes him feel good about himself." E. E. Both E. and K. LOVED their guitar lessons. They have all been practicing and looking forward to the next lesson!! Thanks so much for offering this and thanks so much for being such a great teacher!" J.B "Dear Laurie, Thank you for all your efforts and patience in teaching piano to S. He really enjoys playing. Thanks you for using your talent to help kids nurture their own." CE
Private and Group Instruction for:
piano- classical and pop repertoire, scales and arpeggios, finger technique, dynamics, study of theory, Faber and Faber methods books along with supplemental material of fine composers of music for the young: Martha Mier, Dennis Alexander, Margaret Goldston, etc.
voice- bel canto approach to the singing of art songs, sacred music and show tunes as well as Italian arias for the more advanced, combined with vocalization exercises- emphasis on vocal freedom, precise intonation, vocal and facial expression of emotion, breath control, articulation and correct posture
guitar- repertoire includes classical, folk, classic rock and worship songs; reading of standard notation as well as tablature; major, minor, blues scales and improvisation; strumming and picking patterns and techniques; study of music theory through Jerry Snyder instructional material
music theory- chord analysis, scales and modes, musical symbols, composition and notation, composers and time periods
general music- note reading, rhythms, composers and musical styles and eras, movement, learning of recorder and standard songs (folk, patriotic, spirituals), musical symbol.
Distinctive characteristics of jazz including improvisation, altered chords, and scatting are discussed and demonstrated. Throughout the presentation, Laurie weaves a discussion of the 8 character traits identified by Wake County Public Schools- courage, kindness, perseverance, integrity, responsibility, respect, good judgment, and self control-, relating them to the life of a musician in a humorous and memorable way.
Music theory is conveyed in the demonstration of the differences between the various scales upon which musical styles are based and how those styles are also affected by variances in the 3 most fundamental components of music: melody, harmony and rhythm.
HISTORY OF JAZZ PRESENTATION
Laurie performs an engaging, informative, and interactive program that features both classic jazz standards and original jazz compositions. The audience is taken on a compelling journey through the history of America’s only truly original art form- jazz. She traces the roots from folk songs and the earliest wailing of the blues, first uttered by descendants of African American slaves as an expression of the soul. The journey moves through its development, starting in the late 1800’s in cities like New Orleans and making its way up the Mississippito Chicago and later to New York.. Mention is made of jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. Various jazz styles are discussed, including ragtime and swing and concluding with the varieties of modern jazz like bebop and cool jazz.
