Hi! Thanks for visiting my teaching page. Here are some examples of topics we can explore together at the piano:

  • proper technique and warm-ups

  • songwriting and lyric-writing

  • reading and writing notated music (pitches, rhythms, and other symbols)*

  • reading charts/chord symbols

  • practical applications of music theory

  • adjusting the mood or narrative arc of a song

  • ear training (e.g. recognizing intervals, playing the melody of a song you’re listening to)

*there are many forms of music notation, as well as many musical traditions that are not notated. I teach the type of music notation that is commonly used in American music education, which is based on 18th century European music (treble clef, bass clef, whole notes, Italian vocabulary, etc.)!

My musical background and approach:

I began studying European classical piano at age 9 and later delved into jazz, singing, and songwriting under the direction of pianist-composer Eric Doney. At Wesleyan University, I earned B.A. degrees in Music and Psychology and started the journey of overcoming my stage fright. I also had the privilege of studying jazz vocals with Giacomo Gates. Since graduating in 2013 (Phi Beta Kappa), I have been writing, recording, performing, and teaching music.

You've probably heard before that “music is a language.” Having access to a wide musical vocabulary, understanding phrasing and rhythm, identifying patterns, and reading the written form all help with musical fluency. My ultimate goal is to give students the confidence and knowledge to successfully express themselves through music.

Whether you’re interested in learning songs from Beethoven, The Beatles, Billie Eilish, or your own brain we can work together to hone your skills and fill your musical tool box!

For more information or to schedule a trial lesson, please contact:
julia@juliamarkmusic.com

I also offer one-on-one songwriting consults! These are structured to fit your unique situation. We might decide that a single, focused hour of workshopping is best, or perhaps plan a few weekly meetings to move a song idea forward over time.