Question 1

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

For piano lessons, Larry offers virtual lessons, and seasonally dependant in-person lessons.

For NYC students (academic season), Larry and students will meet at an agreed upon location. For Michigan students (summer season), Larry's piano studio is located in Davisburg, MI adjacent to the Springfield Oaks Oakland County Park. 
 
Contact Larry directly for location requirements you are interested in booking Larry as a musician for your private event.

Question 2

How do I get in contact with Larry and take the next step?

Accepted Answer

Head to the inquiry page, complete the form, and Larry will contact you with next steps!

Question 3

What is Larry's training and background?

Accepted Answer

Larry has been playing piano since the age of 5. He has played piano in a variety of
contexts including as a solo performer, pop/rock/R&B band member, jazz ensemble
member, musical theater accompanist, choir accompanist, as a musician in religious
worship services including gospel, traditional hymnody, global music, pop, and more.

As a young musician, he studied piano privately in Holland, MI (his hometown) and
abroad while living in Chile. He was formally trained at Hope College studying both
jazz and classical piano earning an Bacherlor of Arts in Music.

Larry enjoys performing but his true passion is sharing with others the skills that are
needed to play the piano. He loves to find new and interesting ways to present lesson
material. He is thrilled to discover each student's unique personality and learning style
and is committed to being the best companion possible in the mutual journey of
learning and loving music.

Question 4

What are Larry core values?

Accepted Answer

Cultivating Each Student's Love for Music
 
I desire for music to be a life-long and joy-filled process of discovery in which each student is continually happily surprised by their own music-making and the music-making of others. I believe that it is love for music that will sustain this lifetime journey. As a piano teacher, I am committed to helping students see and hear the beauty of music and to cultivate a love for what they hear.
 
Building Each Student's Independence at the Piano
 
I desire that each student learn the skills that will help them to self-direct their life-long practice at the piano. As a teacher, I am committed to building these skills within each student.
 
Crafting a Teaching Approach That is Unique to Each Student
 
I desire to know how each student learns best. Every student is uniquely gifted and is driven to learn for diverse reasons. As a teacher, I am committed to learning who the student is so that I can help them access tried and true methods.

Question 5

What makes Larry different from other piano teachers?

Accepted Answer

Larry is able to draw from a wide-range of experiences, skills, and resources to deliver
a learning experience that engages the imagination, the body, and the heart. Larry is
committed to meeting you wherever you are in your musical journey and helping you
take the next step in your development.

Question 6

What is Larry's methodology?

Accepted Answer

The methodology will vary based on the students age and interest. All students will
learn the fundamentals of pitch, rhythm, technique, and notation. These skills are
learned in the context of a method book. Each student acquires these fundamental
skills at a different pace, but once they have been learned there is more freedom to
explore. Video companion pieces prepared by Larry are available to assist with practice
during the week.

Students specifically interested in learning jazz and pop will learn a variety of exercises
and notational symbols that will form the base for further exploration in
improvisation.
 
Intermediate and advanced students interested in classical music with the requisite
technical skills will study works that interest them. Larry and the student will work
together to identify the pieces that will be learned.

Question 7

What are the time requirements outside of piano lessons?

Accepted Answer

Beginners will spend 15-20 minutes 4-5 days per week. Most other students will
practice between 30-60 minutes 4-5 days per week.

Question 8

What ages does Larry teach?

Accepted Answer

Four years and up.

Question 9

Where do you teach? Do you travel?

Accepted Answer

Larry teaches virtually, or out of his home in Davisburg, MI. Larry does not travel to student's home to teach.

Question 10

Tell me more about virtual piano lessons. Are they inferior to in-person lessons and do you need to commit to in-person or virtual?

Accepted Answer

Virtual piano lessons take place via Zoom. All that is needed is for the student to have
a computer with a webcam, an internet connection, and something to set the
computer on either to the right or left of the piano. Larry will be sitting at his piano,
and will be able to see him sitting at the piano and have a separate overhead view of
his hands.

Other than the loss of an in-person presence, virtual piano lessons for most students
are not inferior to in-person. In many ways they are superior because we are able to
take advantage of the fact that there are two pianos: Larry's piano and the piano in
your home and other virtual capacities that are not necessarily avaialble when in-home.

Question 11

What COVID-19 precautions are you taking?

Accepted Answer

If desired during in-person piano lessons, Larry will wear a mask for the entirety of the time and
attempt to maintain a reasonable distance from the student and others in the home.
Piano students experiencing sickness of any kind are asked to cancel their piano lesson
with no loss of the lesson fee.

Question 12

Is there a recital?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a yearly recital and all students are encouraged but not required to
participate. Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a recital.
As soon as the pandemic subsides and group gatherings become safe, we will resume
the practice of holding a yearly recital.

Question 13

What is your billing and cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Lessons are billed one month in advance. Non-emergency and non-sickness
cancellations are generally not refundable. Payment is accepted via check, Venmo, and major credit cards. Cash is no longer accepted.

The full policy will be emailed to you as part of the lesson onboarding process.