Lessons Offered
Bagpipe
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
Virtual / Online
About Me
I am private music teacher who has been teaching on a full time basis for the last 15 years. I teach piano, voice and bagpipes. I am originally from California and moved here in 1980. I met my wife at Westminster Choir College in Princeton NJ when we were both students. She is also a musician. In our 31 years of marriage we have served a number churches in the area she as the Choir Director and Organist and I as the Bass Section Leader. We ran the Young Singers of Pennsylvania, a Children's Chorus for 9 years where she was the Director and I was the Accompanist.
I started playing the piano at 11 which I thought was 3 years too late. I was actually ready to start at 8 but it took 3 years of nagging to get a piano. I was totally addicted by 12 and practiced 2 hours per day as a kid until I graduated from High School. I loved Beethoven and Chopin and still do. I discovered the Bagpipes as Sophomore in High School and added an hour a day of practice on to my schedule. I competed in Bagpipes up to the Grade 1 level in the Pacific Coast Pipe Band Association back in the 70's.
I was very lucky to have studied with some truly great people who were partially responsible for keeping my piano interest alive. I was very motivated to play and be accomplished.
This is my 20th year in business. I love teaching people. My students range in age from 8 to 70. I'm not picky. I'll teach anyone that sincerely wants to learn. I specialize in Rhythm Training and sight reading.
My Musical Education Background
Here is my musical background:
Piano lessons from age 11.
Bagpipe lessons from 15.
Voice lessons from age 18.
I studied music at:
Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA
Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ
Chapman University in Orange, CA
I make it a habit to still practice everyday as I am very lucky to be able to do this for a living.
Genres and Subjects Taught
I specialize in beginners to intermediate for piano, voice and bagpipes.
Lesson Rates
STUDIO RATES FOR PRIVATE LESSONS:
$50.00 for 30 minutes (On call lesson. No guaranteed weekly time.)
$90.00 for 60 minutes (On call lesson. No guaranteed weekly time.)
$160.00 per month for 30 minutes per week. (Guarantees a weekly time in the schedule. Based on 48 week Yr)
A referral discount of 10% will be credited for each student referral for as long as you and they are students. To qualify you must notify us in advance with the name of your referral.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
8 to 80
My Certifications and Awards
The Ruth Moses Memorial Scholarship.
The Orange County Philharmonic Scholarship.
Various competition awards in Bagpipe Performance.
My Musical Influences
These are people who had a very strong influence in my musical education.
George and Maggie Guth (mom and dad who financed it)
Willard G Bassett
Joseph Sanchez
Arthur Lambert
Thomas Whitney
Richard Raub
Justin Colyar
Robert Simpson
Beethoven
Mozart
Chopin
Shubert
John D Burgess
Charles Rosenberger
William Lumsden
Just to name a few.
Service Area
Student Reviews
Patrick W
Philadelphia, PA
Gary, As I said last week, lessons have been great. I didn't expect such a positive and motivating experience, and I am excited about my next step....joining a band. I will let you know how I progress. Thanks for everything. I look forward to keeping in touch. Pat