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Andrea Garcia Lascurain Villar

Andrea Garcia Lascurain Villar

I believe music is one of the most beautiful things in the world. To be able to understand it and reproduce it with your own body is a gift. This is what playing music means to me, and this is why I love to share everything I know about it with my students. Studying music is a stupendous way to express yourself, to be in contact with the purest form of arts, and to engage in a discipline that will give you enormous satisfactions. My teaching philosophy is a combination between quality learning and enjoying the process. It is extremely important that students build a solid theorical base, in order for them to learn how to understand and make music. It is as important that the students fall in love with attending their lessons as well as the process of doing their homework. The goal is that every student learns music as a language, and that one day they become so confident that they don’t need lessons anymore. I consider myself a very adaptable teacher. I have students from 6 to 65 years old. When I am with little kids, I find the way for them to understand everything by giving examples that they can relate to. At the same time, I do the same for adults. I think that one distinctive characteristic is that I always try to make the lesson fun for them. Most of my students’ objective is to learn to play the piano for their own pleasure. In the 7 years I’ve been a teacher, I’ve developed a sensibility to understand which is the way to introduce certain subjects to each type of personality and interest. Doubtlessly, being a particular teacher gives you the flexibility to treat each student as an individual and make a plan for them. My classes have a clear structure: 1. The first step is for them to understand which is the correct corporal position they must have. This includes seating height, distance, back position, arm position, and hand position. 2. Then, all students must learn how to read music. This concept comes together with basic theory. The methodologies I normally use are John Thompson’s Easiest Piano Course (for kids who are under 11 years old) as a beginners kids method, and Alfred’s Basic Piano Course (for kids who are over 12 years old, and up to seniors) from beginner to intermediate levels. With this, they start to relate what they are reading with the piano they have in front of them. When they reach advanced levels, they begin with a more open classical repertoire. Also, from the beginner level, they start practicing ear training and sight-reading exercises to have a more complete approach of musical aspects. 3. Once they’re starting to read music and play it fluently, I start introducing technical exercises. The technical exercises I use are “A Dozen a Day”, since I find it very useful and adaptable for all ages 4. Every time students finish a methodology book, I encourage them to learn one piece they really love. If the piece is very hard for their level, I write an easier version for them so they are able to learn it 5. This way we continue learning, following a methodology, up until they are ready to play any piece they want. In my experience, I’ve seen that my students’ strengths include strong sight reading, rhythmic comprehension, and theory. I include ear training and basics for improvisation to encourage the creative part. The technical approach is as important as everything else. A good technique helps the student execute what he wants to hear. As a fundamental part of my classes, we have student recitals every 6 months, to put in practice playing in public. Also, students who are ready take RCM exams. Taking piano lessons is a great commitment. Students are expected to practice at least 10 minutes per day. Parents are a key to success, since they are the ones who will remind students to do their homework. I consider myself a very structured teacher, but at the same time, adaptable to each student’s needs. I am always trying to learn more and more in order to offer more to my students. I’m ready to begin this journey with the new student. Andrea García Lascurain

Instrument / Discipline

  • Piano
  • Theory
  • Harmony

Spoken languages

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish

Specialized in

  • Youth (7-17)
  • Adults (18+)
  • Beginner/Elementary
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Teaches At

  • Music school
  • Online
  • Teacher's studio

Professional development

  • Particular Tutoring in Laval University with Pianist Arturo Nieto-Dorantes - Studied during one semester with Mexican Pianist and Piano Faculty Director in Laval University (Quèbec) Arturo Nieto-Dorantes - 2006
  • Particular Tutoring in Mexico City with Pianist Mauricio Náder - Studied during 5 years with Mexican Pianist Mauricio Náder - 2013
  • Particular Tutoring in New York City with Amina Figarova - Studied an intense course in Jazz and improvisation with Amina Figarova in NYC - 2019
  • Particular Tutoring with Javier Constenla vía Online, in Galicia, Spatin - Studied during 10 months a course in Composition and Improvisation with Javier Constenla - 2020
  • Particular Tutoring with Pianist Marta García Renart - Studied during 10 years with Mexican Pianist Marta García Renart - 1996