Welcome!
Fall 2024 is in progress as of September. Beginning to reschedule for Spring 2025. Limited spots still available! Contact me for more information.
ABOUT LEAH
Leah Pesenson has been a student of the arts since age 4, first studying piano and picking up cello and other string instruments as well later in school. She has a degree in Music Education from Rutgers’ Music school, Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her focus is piano and strings.
When attending Rutgers, she performed with the Rutgers Sinfonia Orchestra as a cellist, but her main work is done in accompanying on piano and performing in chamber groups as a pianist.
Before university, Leah had competed in the Golden Key Festival and won gold, and she also regularly took part in the Spring Music Festival at Westminster and Princeton as well as receiving the Young Artist level in the yearly exam given by the American College of Musicians. She also has worked with local churches to provide music for services. Now, her students regularly take part in ABRSM exams, NJ festivals and concerts all around the metropolitan area of NYC.
METHODOLOGY
Ms. Pesenson's methods vary student to student, concentrating on what is preferred by students and parents. Her teaching methodology is similar to a more traditional approach: she expects adequate practice before every lesson, and if a student comes unprepared, that is a lesson that is not used to the fullest potential (circumstances aside). Students should make the most out of their lesson time, and so to do this they need proper preparation (practice!). Ms. Pesenson offers to help layout practice guidelines like any other homework assignment or project a student might have.
Ms. Pesenson understands and empathizes with circumstances like important exams, family events and illness. Those are always excused. The only thing not excused is consistent procrastination of practice. This will result in a re-evaluation of lesson-time.
Ms. Pesenson also provides students with comments and evaluations on their own progress. This is completely optional, but students have found it helpful in the past and are happy to see their growth and progress over time. This is a way to visualize their own progress: not to compete with other students. This is also a way of recording their progress for their future musical education, and a way to keep track of what pieces they have worked on and which techniques they have strengths/weaknesses in. It is akin to a music report card outside of any musical exams or competitions that students may wish to take part in.
Any questions? Please refer to the Lessons FAQ or get in touch!
