i am passionate about teaching!

I have over 30 years of experience teaching piano, theory, composition, improvisation and ensembles for the seriously motivated student. As a piano and mindfulness certified teacher, my goal is for every one of my students to blossom into a conscious learner and an accomplished pianist and musician.

My teaching is based on mindfulness, encouragement, positive guidance, and of course, nurturing the love of playing the piano!  I teach all styles with an emphasis on classical, which is the ultimate foundation for building strong technical skills, shaping and interpreting musical phrases and developing a deeper understanding of musical expression. I also incorporate mindful practices to help relieve stress and tension, improve concentration and focus, and to play with ease.

To prepare my students for performance, I teach in detail, the art of phrasing, musical interpretation, how to master technical problems, how to memorize with confidence, and overcoming performance anxiety (stage fright). I also prepare students for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) theory and performance exams and The Royal Conservatory Examinations.

my students play at carnegie hall!

My students share their musical talents in recitals, charity events, auditions and state and national competitions. They have performed in winners recitals at various venues, including Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center in NYC, Westminster Choir College, Drew University, Caldwell University and Kean University. But nothing compares to playing at a winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in NYC! I have had winning students play at Carnegie since 1999. It is truly a spectacular and treasured event that I look forward to year after year!

my students compose!

As a composer/teacher, I specialize in teaching composition and improvisation. It gives me great joy exploring new musical horizons with my creative and adventurous student composers! Both composition and improvisation  students are required to study theory, chord progressions, musical analysis, melodic and rhythmic development, and most of all, learning to create and enjoy their own music.

I also love to coach duets, ensembles and solo instrumentalists, including vocalists with piano accompaniment.  I encourage all my advanced students to participate in ensemble playing to learn how to work as team players and to enrich their musical experience.

my studio is international!

 I’ve been teaching virtual lessons on Skype, Zoom and FaceTime since 2012. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching students as far away as China and Japan! Many of these students have competed in state and national competitions and have won. Virtual lessons work!

I’m a  member of the Piano Teachers Society of America (1999-2020),  Music Educators Association of NJ,  New Jersey Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association and The Piano Teachers Forum of Central New Jersey. I have a B. A. in Piano Performance from Douglass College (Rutgers the State University).

Please click HERE for my studio’s guidelines, payment info and policies. For further information, please contact me at danettewhelanmusic@gmail.com