ABOUT BRANDEN
Your Piano Instructor
For me, teaching piano is a passion; I live and breathe it! I have played piano since I was four years old. I take pride in teaching those who are eager to expand their minds, talents, and skills. I bring a depth of professional expertise to my piano lessons and I understand how to transfer my knowledge and skill set set to beginners. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn!
My name is Branden Downing. I am a pianist, composer, and educator. I am a graduate from Ball State University with a degree in piano performance. I have been studying piano, music composition, music theory, and piano pedagogy for 19 years. I have a strong passion for all sorts of music from classical to jazz. I teach piano, music theory, and composition. At Ball State University I have studied music composition with Dr. Jody Nagel and Dr. Kaplan, classical piano with Dr. James Helton, jazz piano with Dr. Scott Routenberg, and orchestration with Dr. Swilley. If you are interested more about my original music please click the following link:
http://brandendowningmusic.webs.com/sounds-and-music-samples
I offer personalized private lessons and group classes at affordable prices and use individually specialized lessons to improve areas of difficulty. Contact me to see how I can be of service to you.
WHAT I OFFER
LESSONS THAT STUDENTSÂ ENJOY!
Students come to music with various goals. Not everyone wants to or should be training to become a virtuoso pianist. The teacher believes that, whether the student enjoys playing Chopin or Ed Sheeran, all music offers the opportunity for fostering and advancing musical development and understanding. The teacher cares vary much about each students musical growth and strives to unlock each student's potential. While we work and practice hard during and outside of the lessons, the teacher is never overbearing!  Whatever keeps their hands on the keys and keeps them excited is going to be better for them than dry technical exercises and studies.
MUSIC THEORY
Branden teaches music theory with an interactive and practical approach to learning intervals and chord structures at the piano. Students can learn not only how to play great music but also the how and why behind what makes it work. The instructor has a deep knowledge of classical, jazz, contemporary, and popular music theory.
BEGINNER FUNDAMENTALS
While the teacher has a high level of proficiency and knowledge level of the piano and music theory he has not forgotten where he once started! Where everyone must begin; with the fundamentals. The instructor starts each student off with the foundations of correct hand-position, posture, note names, interval structure, and everything necessary to prepare your student to start having fun while playing and practicing the piano. The beginning lessons lay the foundation necessary to play any style of music.
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED CONCEPTS
Students coming in at a higher degree of proficiency are also welcomed! The instructor is widely versed in classical and jazz repertoire. He has a deep knowledge of composition and music theory.