"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
~ Plato
Experience the beauty and joy of making music at the piano!
Hi there music lover!
Are you looking to ignite or to re-ignite a passion for playing music at the piano?
To experience the joyous, unrestricted self-expression and the playful creativity you have always envisioned to be possible for yourself through music, only you never stumbled upon quite the right opportunity?
Maybe you used to play what feels like lifetimes ago and have been feeling yourself yearning again for that connection, but are afraid it's too far in the past, has slipped you're grasp, and you'll never be able to recapture the musical experiences you once enjoyed so thoroughly and effortlessly.
I can help you with that!
Through my own musical journey I've learned to tap into the essence of the music that comes from deep inside and how to channel it freely and uninhibitedly through the beautiful and wonderfully versatile instrument of the piano!
It's my absolute joy and pleasure these days to have the opportunity to support folks in their own journeys of self discovery and creative fulfillment at the piano.
I'll hold your hand the entire way as you learn to trust and follow your own deepest musical desires and to tap into latent artistic expressive abilities you never even knew you had!
I am currently teaching piano both in person, and online with a comprehensive setup that allows us both to easily and fully see and hear each other almost as if we were in the same room sitting next to each other!
Book a free consultation with me below and we'll figure out together how to get you started on your exciting new journey of musical discovery at the piano!
TESTIMONIALS:
(The majority of the testimonials here are taken directly from Burlington Piano Lessons' Google Business Page where he have all 5-Star Reviews!)
"I purchased myself a keyboard last year on a hope and a dream. With the help of some apps and YouTube videos, I could sort of play a few songs. Eventually, life got busy and my keyboard became more of a toy for my kids. This summer, I decided I wanted to take it more seriously and went on a hunt for adult piano lessons. I came across Sam and started lessons pretty much right away! He taught me more in one lesson than I got from any of the other stuff. The way he teaches and breaks down what you need to know, makes it’s easy to comprehend even when you’re taking in a lot of new information. I swear I learn more with him than I did in 12 years of chorus at school! He’s always willing to answer any questions that I have — we’ve had some informative conventions about music theory which is really helpful for me while I learn. I love being able to focus on the things I want to learn and the type of music that I enjoy. I always look forward to my lessons, and I would recommend Sam to anybody who wants to learn!"
~ Jordan Magnant, adult student
"I am a retired University of Vermont professor and have been taking piano lessons from Sam Whitesell for nearly two years. Sam is both an excellent teacher and an established and popular performing musician here in the Burlington area. He has had a great deal of patience working with me as a neophyte pianist! After each lesson he puts together a written report on what we have been working on and where I need to focus my efforts. On a scale of one to ten I give Sam a ten plus!"
~ Edwin Bovill, retired adult student
"Sam has been a great, clear and patient teacher for me as I've taken up the piano, post-retirement. I'm brand new to both organized music instruction as well as the piano. Sam has really helped me feel comfortable, I'm having fun and I'm actually learning how to play! What could be better!!"
~ Ted Winfield, retired adult student
"Sam is a great piano teacher. He is great with adults who have never played (I know this from talking with two friends), adults like me with prior experience (I quit after high school and took it up with Sam 55 years later), and with children and youths (I know this from one young friend and his grandmother, and also from discussing Sam’s various age-appropriate approaches with him). Sam is knowledgeable, flexible, patient, supportive, caring — and deeply encouraging without laying on the least bit of pressure. I highly recommend Sam as a terrific piano teacher for all ages, all experience levels and all musical tastes."
~ Kit Andrews, retired adult student
"Sam Whitesell is a phenomenal pianist and teacher. My 16-year old son has taken piano lessons for several years and just switched over to Sam this fall. Sam has a deep understanding of music and music theory and is able to share that understanding in a way that’s easy to understand. Sam is positive, encouraging and extremely thorough, coming prepared to teach and dive in on every lesson. Highly recommend!"
~ Jessica Jackson
ABOUT ME AND MY TEACHING APPROACH:
At Burlington Piano Lessons, I strive to maintain a teaching environment that is safe, supportive, welcoming, nurturing, and compassionate, empowering kids (and adults!) to be their fun, authentic, wacky, creative, imaginative selves!
I believe imagination, play, and freedom of self-expression are all important aspects of the creative process of music learning, and that music itself is a natural form of creative self-expression.
Working with kids with ADHD and other neurodivergencies and/or who otherwise have an abundance of energy and imagination is a special passion of mine!
I also really enjoy supporting retired adults in rediscovering their musical dreams of which they may have lost track, helping them find self-fulfillment, develop confidence, overcome self-criticism and self-doubt, and get in touch with a deeper sense of Self.
I subscribe to a whole-person approach to music study integrating Body, Mind, and Spirit. With adult students especially, we even sometimes explore music study as a meditative practice.
An avid life-long learner, I enjoy staying on the cutting edge of both in-person and online music instruction!
I love to stay up to date on the brain-based science of learning and it’s practical application to music study.
I also love keeping up with the ongoing scientific exploration of ADHD and other neurodivergencies including Autism Spectrum--the unique gifts they bring, and their potential impacts on learning and child development.
As a performing pianist, I perform regularly most Sunday mornings as pianist at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont.
I also love supporting the community as pianist for local middle school and high school students in performances and auditions.
I teach lessons both in-person and online out of my inviting home studio near the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain.
I look forward to exploring together all that music lessons can offer!