With a background in Ragtime, jazz, and classical music, Johnny continually refines his skills and enjoys guiding students through a journey of musical growth. His teaching style starts with fundamentals and music theory, then adapts to students' interests to ensure they are engaged and inspired by the music they play. Johnny stays creatively inspired by his vibrant community and the joy of performing and storytelling.
I teach piano.
The piano is a beautiful instrument, capable of empowering a person to express the deepest pain and the greatest joy. Playing the piano has gotten me through the roughest times... music holds so much power. I want to give you the tools to wield that power yourself, and to provide you with the exhilaration of playing this incredible instrument.
The first music I began to play on the piano was Ragtime, then I transitioned into jazz, then classical. Each style of music is very special, and equips a musician to express a full range of emotion in different ways. I play daily, continuing to refine my own technique. Piano is so rewarding because it feels so fantastic to challenge yourself with learning a particular work, then moving to a more challenging work from there, and so on. You really get to witness incredible growth.
I like to begin with the fundamentals of piano and music theory based on my own classical/Ragtime background, then follow where the student leads. When I was learning piano, the thing I couldn’t stand was being forced to play music that didn’t get my motor going. I want my students to love what they are playing, to be riveted by the music, and build to a place where they can play the music they love.
My community is very important to me. I love working with people that are excited and passionate, and have real love for the work we’re doing, whether it be in a play, opera, film, or musical endeavor. Performing and storytelling have always been the things that get me out of bed in the morning.