As a concert pianist for over 20 years with a world reknowned piano company, I was also committed to music education. After the concert season each year my time was devoted to teaching. In addition to being an "executive on loan" to schools and universities as a teacher, I also was involved with the development of our studios and music curiculum. This multi level approach was to teach both the serious musician as well as those casual musicians that used music as a hobby or for relaxation. I personally have been teaching piano, organ, and woodwinds since 1955 to students of all age groups and levels of accomplishment in both private and classroom settings. My style of music instruction encourages each child to progress according to its musical potential, and I strive to provide a fun and learning environment for each lesson.

All lessons are individually designed to the needs and goals of the student and are based on the Russian tradition of piano playing. From the first day of lessons an emphasis is placed on listening and creating an artistic image, as well as on basic music theory. Students continue through the piano curriculum learning significant repertoire, all the while addressing the fundamentals necessary for all levels of performance in the future.

Although many pedagogues request lessons an hour in length and twice weekly, I strongly recommend a maximum of 30 minutes and one lesson weekly. This is particularly true for beginning and intermediate students. Exceptions are made for the advanced student or one that has selected to augment their college or university curiculum. Lessons can be taken either at student's home (available in the Greater New Orleans Louisiana area or via webcam worldwide) or in the studio located at Lafargue Pianos LTD in Metairie across from Lakeside Mall. Students are given the opportunity to perform in an organized recitals. In addition, they are encouraged to participate in community, school, and music camp activities offered outside their normal lesson schedules.

If you HOME SCHOOL and want to add a Music Enrichment class, this is the ideal way to introduce music education to the student in their existing environment. There is no need to go outside the home any longer to give your student the advantage of a music education! And it doesn't matter where you live as your teacher is as close as your computer through web cam technology. Please don't confuse these lessons with video or CD lessons. A webcam lesson is in real time and just like talking on the phone but with video added!

Dr. Rhodes teaches many "home schoolers" world-wide and knows well the difference of schedules for home schooling and traditional school. He works to accommodate both the student and the family to avoid scheduling conflicts. This is a benefit as it provides you the ability to take advantage of those "once in a life-time opportunities" that farther enriches the home schooled student. As you already know, the more practice time you devote to your instrument the better you will become. There is no longer a need to settle for a music instructor just because they live near you.