Slawskypianostudio

"I consider that one of the main tasks of a teacher is to ensure as quickly and as thoroughly as possible that he is no longer necessary to the pupil; to eliminate himself, to leave the stage in time; in other words to inculcate in the pupil that independent thinking, that method of work, that knowledge of self and ability to reach his goal which we term maturity, the threshold beyond which begins master."
The Art of Piano Playing - Heinrich Neuhaus

To Instill a Passion for Music-
First of all, I would love to welcome everyone to my studio! Music is exciting! Music is passion! Music is a lifelong endeavor which brings enjoyment. The benefits of learning the piano are innumerable; affecting the mind, intellect, and emotion. It is my desire to instill an appreciation for and to further the inherently good properties of music. I will do everything I can to make lessons fun, exciting, and rewarding. In exchange, there are a few things I ask of the student.

Teaching Approach- (Artistry through Reading of the score, recognition of patterns, composition, and harmonization of simple melodies)
Dr. Slawsky's approach to teaching incorporates a variety of methods. Part of the lessons rely heavily on attention to the score. One of my ultimate goals is for my students to be able to play whatever they want as they become more proficient at reading music. With a visual inspection and exploration of the score, the music will come to life through dynamics, articulation, phrasing, and other musical cues. However, students are also encouraged to harmonize simple melodies, play by ear, and compose their own music. Although technique and theory are emphasized, I believe these elements serve the ultimate purpose of breathing life into the music. The ultimate goal is that of artistry and musicianship.

Expectation-
(A willingness to try, even when it means taking a step back in order to take a step forward)
I do not expect perfection. What I do expect is a willingness to try. Students are encouraged to make mistakes with 'flying colors.' "I can't" or "It's too difficult" are not acceptable statements. I do expect all students to work towards a proficiency at reading and making a connection to the score. This task can often be daunting when presented with an advanced student who has the ability to play 'by ear' or memorize easily. Although the world of music has performers with a multitude of talents, the ability to read is one talent that I insist on cultivating. My teaching style is process-oriented and may be slower than teaching styles that are product oriented. Every piece that a student learns will contribute to their cumulative knowledge in learning their next piece.