Selma Jones Piano Instruction |
 Selma graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor in Music Education degree, with Piano Performance as her major instrument. Also, she received a Master in Instruction and Education. Selma has been playing piano from age 5, and is currently teaching Music Appreciation, Chorus and Drama in middle school. Selma has over 20 years experience teaching children in Delaware public schools, teaching band, chorus, general music and ballet. She has directed many concerts and has staged musicals. Her greatest professional love is teaching private piano lessons, and she will gladly design her teaching style to the individual she instructs. She will accept any age and proficiency level from beginner to adult. Lessons incorporate technique, theory; ear training and composition can also be part of the lesson at the student's request. Her goal is to help the student enjoy learning to play the piano to feel the lifelong satisfaction playing an instrument can bring. |
Gina Degnars Piano Instruction |
 Gina earned her BA in Piano Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA and has studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Having performed extensively throughout the East Coast in genres including classical, jazz, pop, rock, new age, and world music, her musical experience is diverse. This experience enables her to cater to the specific needs of her students, designing the lessons for the individual. As a singer/songwriter, she has captured the attention of Grammy winning producer Phil Nicolo as well as Grammy nominated producer, David Ivory, both with whom she has recorded her original material. She has been the 'local pick of the day' on WXPN, performed live on WSTW, and has been a finalist in the International Song Writing Competition. Gina's original band "has reigned as Delaware's most unusual act, and one of its most compelling" (Out and About Magazine), and has performed sold out shows in prestigious New York and Philadelphia venues such as The Bitter End, World Cafe Live, The Tin Angel, and The Khyber. Gina currently records and performs as a solo artist and with her brother, Rich, sings and plays for the Kirtan group "Mandala", is the music coordinator for the contemporary service at Asbury UMC, and is a Teaching Artist for the Delaware Division for the Arts in Education. Gina has been teaching professionally for 15 years. All skill levels are welcome for piano and vocal training. Students must be at least 7 years of age for piano and 14 for voice. Payment is $25 per 1/2 hour lesson, due monthly. "I believe in celebrating the unique nature of each and every student, and in helping them discover where their true talents lie, while colorfully developing the skills necessary to become an extraordinary musician." -Gina |
James Stewart Piano, Keyboard Instruction |
| James Stewart, a North Carolina native, is a critically acclaimed keyboardist, producer, performer and music educator with over 25 years of experience in the music business.
After a rough beginning to his career, Stewart attended Berklee College, where he studied with Bob Winter of the Boston Pops, and played alongside David Rosenthal, Josh Sklar and Steve Vai among others. After graduating from Berklee, Stewart relocated to California where he logged hours as a producer, engineer and performer, working with artists such as Robbie Nevil and Alice Cooper. Stewart has also recorded three solo albums, and is currently in the process of recording his fourth and most anticipated work. James teaches students at least 7 years of age, and his rates are $25 per lesson, paid for in blocks of four |
Jeff Knoettner |
 Jeff, a Berklee College of Music (Boston) graduate, has extensive teaching experience spanning over twenty years with both NJ School of Music and currently Accent Music on Concord Pike.
Jeff's performance resume is impressive, including performing in such settings as the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, The Tino Gonzalez band, who opened for likes of Buddy Guy and B.B. King to name a few. Jeff also is a founding member of the Cartoon Christmas Trio, which has been featured on WHYY radio interviewed on ABC's "Dave Polec's World" and was named one of the "Seven things you must do the week before Christmas". Lessons are individually tailored to each students unique needs, and Jeff teaches all skill levels at almost any age. Lessons are $25 per lesson, paid for in advance in monthly payments. Jeff and his wife Karen hold Bi-Annual Recitals in the spring and fall for students to showcase their talents. |
Karen Knoettner |
| Karen, a graduate of the University of Delaware, studied classical piano for ten years under Margaret Sutherland, Nancy Pressley (University of Delaware), and spent a semester studying with David Brown. She also was honored with the Music Merit Scholarship in 1983 while attending UD.
Karen has performed professionally in several different settings. As a runner up in Miss Delaware in 1986, her talent was the piano solo "Maleguena". She also played keyboards for a christian music band "Promise" in 1992, which saw success and was featured on television. Karen has taught professionally for over 11 years, teaching beginners to intermediate skill levels from ages 4 to adult. She is notably good with children, and has even devoted her time to special needs children, as a part of the YMCA's "Free To Be" program, which teaches children with Down's Syndrome and Autism. Lessons are $25 per half-hour lesson, paid for in blocks of four |
