James Neiman

Every person has something deeply meaningful and uniquely beautiful to express. Listening to artists performing music attracts people because they are drawn to a special experience that goes beyond any verbal description, and playing music comes from this inspiration. The art of playing the piano has been developed for centuries, and has evolved into a means by which people can express their mysteriously beautiful inner voice. The act of playing music can have such a deep impact on the individual that many people feel it is a divinely inspired experience.

 

I believe this experience is accessible to beginners and experts alike, and it is my commitment, as an instructor, to work holistically with each individual to help them express what lies within their deepest inspirations. Over the years I have observed that such individual desires are what truly motivate people to play, and I help construct a lesson experience that serves their dreams and desires by helping them develop the understanding and methodology to succeed. The ways in which I do this will necessarily differ for every person, but there are some highly effective methods, passed on to me by wonderful past teachers, that I share with all students, as needed and appropriate, in ways that make their practice and performance successful and enjoyable.

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The performance of music is a whole brain activity, involving three-dimensional coordination of the entire body and use of nearly all the senses. What makes this fun is that people can learn to control all facets of performance, while transitioning their practiced experience into something instinctive. This happens at all levels of development, which is why beginners enjoy playing the piano just as much as experts do!

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With these priorities in mind, as appropriate for each person's development, I will provide:

• a solid foundation in piano technique

• an understanding of the composition and architecture of music

• methodologies to efficiently master the challenges of piano performance

• help in connecting one's personal interpretation with the listener

• a variety of optional performance opportunities in a highly supportive setting

• suggested listening and reading resources for motivation and inspiration

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All of this is offered to either advanced juniors or adult musicians of all ages and levels, from those who have never studied music, to people who have previously studied piano and would like to continue developing, to young artists who would like to prepare for conservatory admission at the undergraduate or graduate level, and even to professionals who would like to take a fresh look at how they approach expression and performance.