Experience/Education

Julie Moffitt holds a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance with a minor in voice from Combs College of Music (1983). She has been teaching piano, voice, and guitar since she graduated. Since 1994 she has been on the faculty at Harrisburg Area Community College, where she teaches classes in Music Appreciation, Music Theory, and private lessons. After college she continued her studies in piano, most notably with Julia Benfer. Benfer studied with Ania Dorfmann and Madam Olga Stroumillo, who was a close friend and colleague of Vladimir Horowitz. Benfer had also received coaching from Artur Rubenstein, Wanda Landowska, and Horowitz himself.

Instruction

Students of all ages and levels are welcome. Students meet once a week for one-half hour. For the more serious students, one hour lessons are recommended. Students will receive assigned pieces at each lesson and are expected to practice between lessons. Students are encouraged to call or email if they have any questions.

Lessons are available in:

Classical piano, popular piano, and beginning jazz.

Folk guitar, rock guitar, and beginning classical guitar.

Classical voice and popular voice (pop, folk, rock).

I offer in-person lessons to those who are comfortable with it, during the COVID crisis. With or without masks. However, remote lessons are also available using Zoom or Skype for those who prefer it.

Philosophy (in her own words)

I believe in a strong grounding in technique: reading, rhythm, notational skills, interpretation and historical context. Lessons focus on fundamentals, accuracy and musicality. With this foundation, the student is well-equiped to work in a variety of genres. The more tools and skills students have, the freer they are to express themselves musically.

I also believe that each student has their own special relationship to music, and that lessons should be geared toward drawing out the musical ability unique to each student.