Our 2020/2021 academic year of lessons have gone virtual.
In-person/Hybid will resume 2021/2022
In-person/Hybid will resume 2021/2022
Lessons include:
Weekly 60 / 45 / 30 minute lessons during academic year September-May
Access to audio library with 11 levels and over 500 pieces.
Composition exercises with music notation software.
Monthly composer activity.
Access to DAMTA* musicales, CSMTA* activities & additional performance opportunities.
Additional Details:
-$65/sixty-minute lesson, $48.75/forty-five minute lesson, or $32.50/thirty minute lesson
-Families are responsible for purchasing recommended instructional books/materials.
-Rate includes $200+ of perks.
Recommended Participation:
-DAMTA* Musicales - I encourage students to perform in our Denver Area Music Teacher (DAMTA) Musicale each month. This helps them prepare to perform in the Colorado Federation of Music Clubs Festival each spring. Recitals are a useful tool for students to build confidence and improve their performance abilities. Recitals also introduce students to a wider spectrum of music by listening to other students of varying levels play a variety of styles.
-CSMTA* opportunities - Concerto Competition, Rising Stars Festival, Achievement Day, Music Theory
*Denver Area Music Teaching Association (DAMTA) / Colorado State Music Teaching Association (CSMTA)
Weekly 60 / 45 / 30 minute lessons during academic year September-May
Access to audio library with 11 levels and over 500 pieces.
Composition exercises with music notation software.
Monthly composer activity.
Access to DAMTA* musicales, CSMTA* activities & additional performance opportunities.
Additional Details:
-$65/sixty-minute lesson, $48.75/forty-five minute lesson, or $32.50/thirty minute lesson
-Families are responsible for purchasing recommended instructional books/materials.
-Rate includes $200+ of perks.
Recommended Participation:
-DAMTA* Musicales - I encourage students to perform in our Denver Area Music Teacher (DAMTA) Musicale each month. This helps them prepare to perform in the Colorado Federation of Music Clubs Festival each spring. Recitals are a useful tool for students to build confidence and improve their performance abilities. Recitals also introduce students to a wider spectrum of music by listening to other students of varying levels play a variety of styles.
-CSMTA* opportunities - Concerto Competition, Rising Stars Festival, Achievement Day, Music Theory
*Denver Area Music Teaching Association (DAMTA) / Colorado State Music Teaching Association (CSMTA)
About Ben Raznick, M.Ed:
Classically trained pianist, recording artist & composer with 20+ years experience
2017, 2018, 2019 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2nd Vice President, Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
Alpha Sigma Iota "Friend of the Arts"
Affiliate Faculty at Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Active Colorado State Teaching License & Guest Teacher Employed by Denver Public Schools
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Member
American Composers Forum (ACF) Member
MusicLink Foundation Teacher
Classically trained pianist, recording artist & composer with 20+ years experience
2017, 2018, 2019 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2nd Vice President, Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
Alpha Sigma Iota "Friend of the Arts"
Affiliate Faculty at Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Active Colorado State Teaching License & Guest Teacher Employed by Denver Public Schools
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Member
American Composers Forum (ACF) Member
MusicLink Foundation Teacher
FAQ:
Why piano lessons?
Exposing kids to the arts builds their skills in creativity, confidence, problem solving, dedication, accountability, and other areas of academic and life success. Read more here.
Do you travel to students?
No, I only teach lessons from my home studio on a Yamaha grand piano, utilizing my library of teaching activities, tools and technologies. However, there are options for you no matter where you live in Denver. Use our "Teacher Search" on the Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) website for an accredited teacher in your zip code.
What age range do you teach?
I teach students of all ages 6 and up. For students ages 3-5, I recommend enrolling them in 30-minute small group classes at our local Maestro Music Institute.
What is your teaching style?
I have incorporated many teaching methods that I learned from my time teaching in public schools into how I teach my piano lessons. I generally divide the time in each lesson into 5 to 15 minute increments with different activities related to piano and music in general. A typical lesson will begin with a warm-up and then touch on different core components of music such as theory, technique and performance with orchestral accompaniment.
What is the online audio library?
I provide families access to my collection of hundreds of pieces covering 11 levels. The students will be assigned particular levels to listen to, and from this collection they will choose their repertoire. My audio library is inspired by the Suzuki method, created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. "More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach." I urge families to listen to the audio library on a regular basis. Students will make much quicker advancements in their musical abilities by listening routinely.
How often should students practice?
Consistency is key. I do not stress that students sit at a piano for very long periods of time, but rather that they are consistent in completing the exercises and activities I have assigned. Students who make time to practice will excel at a much faster rate. However, if students do not have time to practice, we will be reviewing each week's material regardless and moving on to new topics.
What materials do we need?
In our orientation we will discuss the different teaching approaches and materials that will work best for your kid's personality and learning style. Families are responsible for providing these books and materials, as well as a metronome and composition notebook.
Do we need a piano?
I recommend all my students practice on a real piano for reasons relating to touch sensitivity, sound quality and pedaling. However, a weighted keyboard is fine too. Read more pros and cons here. My favorite piano stores around Denver are Schmitt Music (155 W Hampden Ave) and Classic Pianos (1332 S Broadway). In Boulder you can visit the Boulder Piano Gallery (3111 Walnut St). I urge families to visit these beautiful piano galleries and for students to try out the wide varieties of upright and grand pianos.
How fast will my kid learn?
In one academic school year, students tend to progress anywhere from half of a level, to one full level of a method book. Students will gradually advance beyond method books, but until then, method books ensure we hit core elements in music. Students will advance faster if they are playing music they like, and for that reason we will discuss additional resources that will get your kid excited about playing and practicing.
References:
“I recommend Ben Raznick unequivocally. His extensive and ongoing experience with some of our district’s most difficult students has proven him to be effective, dedicated to the profession, and reflective.” -Michelle Carpenter, NBCT, EdS. Boulder Valley School District
“Ben embodies integrity and commitment, not only to his own growth but to those around him, specifically our young people. Ben goes above and beyond his job description to support students.” -Darla Harrah, MA Denver Public School District
“Hemos podido comprobar que junto con una excelente preparación profesional (domina el español perfectamente y es organizado), posee excelentes cualidades personales y su desenvolvimiento está resultando muy satisfactorio tanto para el profesorado como para el alumnado de este Centro.” -Miguel Rodríguez, Junta de Andalucía, Spain
Why piano lessons?
Exposing kids to the arts builds their skills in creativity, confidence, problem solving, dedication, accountability, and other areas of academic and life success. Read more here.
Do you travel to students?
No, I only teach lessons from my home studio on a Yamaha grand piano, utilizing my library of teaching activities, tools and technologies. However, there are options for you no matter where you live in Denver. Use our "Teacher Search" on the Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) website for an accredited teacher in your zip code.
What age range do you teach?
I teach students of all ages 6 and up. For students ages 3-5, I recommend enrolling them in 30-minute small group classes at our local Maestro Music Institute.
What is your teaching style?
I have incorporated many teaching methods that I learned from my time teaching in public schools into how I teach my piano lessons. I generally divide the time in each lesson into 5 to 15 minute increments with different activities related to piano and music in general. A typical lesson will begin with a warm-up and then touch on different core components of music such as theory, technique and performance with orchestral accompaniment.
What is the online audio library?
I provide families access to my collection of hundreds of pieces covering 11 levels. The students will be assigned particular levels to listen to, and from this collection they will choose their repertoire. My audio library is inspired by the Suzuki method, created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. "More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach." I urge families to listen to the audio library on a regular basis. Students will make much quicker advancements in their musical abilities by listening routinely.
How often should students practice?
Consistency is key. I do not stress that students sit at a piano for very long periods of time, but rather that they are consistent in completing the exercises and activities I have assigned. Students who make time to practice will excel at a much faster rate. However, if students do not have time to practice, we will be reviewing each week's material regardless and moving on to new topics.
What materials do we need?
In our orientation we will discuss the different teaching approaches and materials that will work best for your kid's personality and learning style. Families are responsible for providing these books and materials, as well as a metronome and composition notebook.
Do we need a piano?
I recommend all my students practice on a real piano for reasons relating to touch sensitivity, sound quality and pedaling. However, a weighted keyboard is fine too. Read more pros and cons here. My favorite piano stores around Denver are Schmitt Music (155 W Hampden Ave) and Classic Pianos (1332 S Broadway). In Boulder you can visit the Boulder Piano Gallery (3111 Walnut St). I urge families to visit these beautiful piano galleries and for students to try out the wide varieties of upright and grand pianos.
How fast will my kid learn?
In one academic school year, students tend to progress anywhere from half of a level, to one full level of a method book. Students will gradually advance beyond method books, but until then, method books ensure we hit core elements in music. Students will advance faster if they are playing music they like, and for that reason we will discuss additional resources that will get your kid excited about playing and practicing.
References:
“I recommend Ben Raznick unequivocally. His extensive and ongoing experience with some of our district’s most difficult students has proven him to be effective, dedicated to the profession, and reflective.” -Michelle Carpenter, NBCT, EdS. Boulder Valley School District
“Ben embodies integrity and commitment, not only to his own growth but to those around him, specifically our young people. Ben goes above and beyond his job description to support students.” -Darla Harrah, MA Denver Public School District
“Hemos podido comprobar que junto con una excelente preparación profesional (domina el español perfectamente y es organizado), posee excelentes cualidades personales y su desenvolvimiento está resultando muy satisfactorio tanto para el profesorado como para el alumnado de este Centro.” -Miguel Rodríguez, Junta de Andalucía, Spain
Scholarship Fund for piano lessons
I am seeking donors to contribute to a piano lesson scholarship fund to support DPS students who face personal challenges of higher risk environments. These students have educational counselors with Denver Kids, Inc., an organization where I used to work as an educational counselor. My monthly rate will be offered for a 50% discount. Students will be registered students under the MusicLink Foundation and donors will have the opportunity to meet students and participate by attending recitals.
Please contact me using the form above for more information. If you know of someone who would be interested in donating, please share this page with them: BenRaznick.com/lessons
I am seeking donors to contribute to a piano lesson scholarship fund to support DPS students who face personal challenges of higher risk environments. These students have educational counselors with Denver Kids, Inc., an organization where I used to work as an educational counselor. My monthly rate will be offered for a 50% discount. Students will be registered students under the MusicLink Foundation and donors will have the opportunity to meet students and participate by attending recitals.
Please contact me using the form above for more information. If you know of someone who would be interested in donating, please share this page with them: BenRaznick.com/lessons
