Serena J.

Hello! My name is Serena, and I am a pianist and vocalist, originally from Calvert County, Maryland. I have been a student of music for about 18 years now, beginning classical piano lessons at the age of 9 and vocal coaching at the age of 10. I participated in advanced choirs all throughout high school and in my undergraduate education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Similarly, I have been taking classical piano lessons since age 9 all the way until age 17. I began teaching myself from this point and also participated in an instrumental program during undergrad at UMD. I am also a true music theory nerd and have maintained my thirst for knowledge in this area all the way until now. I am unbelievably passionate about music and hope to pass on my knowledge to other students. I was one who had to beg my parents to put me in piano lessons as a child, and I am so glad I have because it has changed my life drastically since. Though my training is primarily classical, I am happy to teach pop music/literature as well if it is of interest to the students. I began teaching lessons to beginner and intermediate students at the age of 16 in my hometown and continued to teach part time during Summers when I was home from college. I have not formally taught lessons for a few years now, but I do my absolute best and will continue to to keep up with the latest philosophies regarding piano education, and I always am sure to brush up on my theory and technical skills. My teaching philosophy can best be described as one that allows students to learn through experimentation and error, while still pushing them to practice effectively and maintain proper technique through reinforcing the concepts we have discussed. In my lessons, students can expect to learn a combination of technical skills, theory, sight-reading skills, listening skills, posture, instrument knowledge, music history, and hopefully even improvisation skills. My favorite things about teaching is being able to share the basic tools which any talented pianist may need to truly tap into their potential. Above all else, I believe music can change a person’s life, as it has mine. I hope to be able to pass on my knowledge and experience to shape the next generation of musicians.