Patricia Dolan Piano
Lessons
in Georgetown, TX
Who, What and When
CHILDREN -- TEENS -- ADULTS
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Beginner to advanced
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5 year olds and up (reading age)
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Beginning adults and those returning-to-the-piano
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Music theory, sight reading, ear training
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Solid keyboard fundamentals
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Classical curriculum plus options for popular, jazz, religious, duet and 2-piano music
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Winter and spring recitals
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Side-by-side studio grand pianos
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Studio hours: 9 am to 7 pm
When considering a younger child's readiness for lessons, their reading level and ability to focus is critical. I highly recommend exposing younger students to singing, movement and rhythm. There are many excellent programs for that.
Young and old can reap great benefit by studying the piano. And the key to success is a teacher who can make well-paced lesson material fun and interesting.
My Teaching
Music has always been an important part of my life. From my youth I have taken every opportunity to spend time on the piano. And, like yours, my music education continues. Although I hold degrees in piano performance and sacred music, I continue to learn and grow as a pianist.
There is so much music to learn - it will lead you down paths you never knew existed! Because I studied piano I took up the string bass in 6th grade without much difficulty. That decision gave me opportunities to play with orchestras, concert bands, small string and jazz ensembles. God blessed each one of us with a voice. So singing in ensembles and choirs gave me skills needed to direct choirs - in church and schools (not without studying conducting, etc.). My ensemble experience developed my ability to accompany vocalists, instrumentalists, and choirs. Every year I accompany high school students in UIL solo competitions. I also record accompaniments for student use. So you can see how learning the piano can lead you in interesting directions.
For over 30 years I've taught students the skill of piano playing. I choose the best materials - old and new, classical, jazz, pop and church music. I want students to acquire skills needed to be involved a lifetime of music.
A comfortable but challenging learning pace, taking into consideration the student's inherent abilities and musical interests, brings encouraging results. Content includes note reading, sight reading, theory, ear-training, techniques of the masters, playing styles of baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary periods, a playing knowledge of chords, and music history. With these skills one can easily play a variety of music: light jazz, popular and sacred music, as the student prefers. The two grand pianos in the studio allows us to ex[ore two-piano literature as well as concerti.
Students often seek ask me to help them choose and prepare music for special school and church events. I provide 3 recitals a year and students have the option of participating in festivals and events hosted by the Austin District Music Assn. / Texas Music Teachers Assn.
While in the studio you may meet Piper, one of my two Pembroke Welsh corgis. He loves greets students at the door and lay near the piano as they play. Bigby, his brother, is very shy so you may only catch a rare glimpse of him. Morley, my cat, occasionally comes by the studio to see what's happening.
Those who become musicians express music from their hearts. British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams said, "The art of music above all the other arts is the expression of the soul of a nation." May the art of the piano bring beauty to the soul of our nation.
Testimonials
