For all inquiries please contact Anna at Anna(at)AnnaDagmar.com.
Philosophy
Since 2001, Anna has taught private piano lessons to students of all ages and levels throughout New York City. Her teaching philosophy is to design individualized practice plans for students to develop as well-rounded, versatile musicians. Grounded in the Western Classical tradition, Anna helps students look beyond the notes on the page to imagine the composer’s point of view. She encourages them to discover patterns and sharpen their knowledge of music theory, connecting what they see directly to what they hear. Also a well-versed jazz improviser, Anna believes in drawing associations to all styles of music to help reinforce concepts. She also teaches methods for creating accompaniments, writing songs, reading chord symbols and ear training. Her younger students enjoy Anna’s many creative musicianship games, which focus on rhythm, notation, and aural skills. Her approach to physical technique at the instrument is always centered around relaxation and efficiency and the unworking of any unhealthy habits. All of these guiding principles contribute to a nurturing and positive atmosphere for a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Experience
Anna Dagmar Johnson has a BM in Jazz Piano Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Continued classical studies with Princeton Piano Department chair Elizabeth DiFelice. Primary classical piano training with Maguerite Samoorian, Vincent Lenti and Polly van der Linde. Primary jazz piano studies with Wayne Reiss, Bevan Manson, Michael Cain and Harold Danko. She studies voice with Theo Bleckmann and Tina Shafer. Anna’s teaching experience includes positions at the Eastman Community Education Division, Mamaroneck High School, Midori and Friends and Westchester Music School. She was an accompanist for three years in the Musical Kids program for early childhood and for several years at the Milton Feher School of Dance and Relaxation. She has been an twelve-year faculty member at the Sonatina School of Piano in Bennington, VT. Anna’s students enjoy small group piano performance “Piano Salons.” At the end of the spring, they also participated in a large recital (at Steinway Hall, Klavierhaus or Lycee Francais) and in the National Piano Guild Adjudications.
Student & Parent Testimonials:
“My children truly have fun taking piano lessons with Anna. Her music theory games are genius and their progress over the past few years has been phenomenal.”
“Anna, For both new students and returning, older students Anna’s excellent skills, knowledge of music and theory as well as enthusiastic, inspiring teaching methods make learning fun and practicing enjoyable. Anna demystifies the notes and music for each student by breaking it into logical pieces so the student can easily learn. The sense of accomplishment from learning a piece motivates one on to the next one. An added benefit is hearing her play and sing!”
“For years our daughter took music lessons but rarely enjoyed them. Since
starting with Anna, however, she looks forward to her piano lesson each
week with enthusiasm and is advancing faster than ever.”
“Anna’s teaching style is unique and inspiring. She uses very creative methods to teach children of all ages music and rhythm thru play and writing. My 8 year old daughter has loved learning with Anna because she makes it so much fun. She is a very dedicated and knowledgeable teacher.”
Group Instruction and Clinics
Anna Dagmar enjoys group instruction, and has experience giving clinics in:
COMPOSITION – at Southern Vermont College, The Nightingale School, Stony Brook School, and Middlesex Middle School
MUSIC THEORY – The Sonata School of Piano, Chelmsford High School, Poly Prep
JAZZ IMPROVISATION – Nazareth College, Kentucky New Performing Arts, Mamaroneck High School, University of Southern Maine, Empire College
VOCAL PERFORMANCE – Union County Teen Arts Festival, Penfield High School
