Located in Oro Valley, the Singleton Studio offers private piano lessons to all ages with an emphasis on reading music and theory. Lessons include individual attention, group masterclasses, and computer tutorials in a fun and engaging setting. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of musical styles while developing skills in reading and rhythm. An incentives program is incorporated to help encourage young learners to practice.
I've been teaching piano for over 30 years. I do two studio recitals per year with other performance opportunities including participation in many of the Tucson Music Teachers Association, the Arizona State Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association events.
Teacher Education:
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Baylor University
Masters of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Baylor University
Specialty study options include Arizona Study Program and the TMTA Ensemble Concert.
Continuing for 2021-2022: Adult Recreational Music Making group classes offered in home studio and over Zoom. All adults welcome with a variety of levels available. New classes starting Fall 2021. Submit a contact form below to request information.
Private lessons offered both in person and online over Zoom.
Please contact me for fall scheduling.
“He performs music from his very heart, demanding your attention as he takes you on a journey of the soul.” Dr. Svetlana Arakelova.
Talent and "perfect" playing only get the musician so far. Without heart and intentional expression of emotion, music falls flat. To engage the audience and oneself, heart must be integrated into the music. Either love of music or love of what is shared through music. I don't believe in teaching music, but teaching how to speak an unspoken language.
That is why the expression through music, is the primary focus of my teaching. To play not only well, but true to the individual. When a musician expresses from the heart, they earn the stage. The heart longs to share itself and music has been my outlet. By studying with me it can be yours too. To share unabashedly, safely, deeply. That, is why I teach.
Native Tucson artist, Brandon Mejia works to provide and create a new pedagogical approach to teaching the piano that involves the root of any performance to stem from not only the personal experience of the performer, but include the experience and past of the active listener.
Brandon Mejia has a Bachelors of Music in piano performance from the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona. While attending he worked closely with Dr. Lisa Zdechlik, D.M.A, the Professor of Pedagogy and Group Piano at the University of Arizona. Under her instruction, Brandon assisted in teaching to understand, analyze and critique the current pedagogical approaches used in the Class Piano courses at the Fred Fox to develop his own pedagogical method.
Having lost key family members at a young age, Brandon Mejia has taken profoundly to the mantra, ‘Music expresses that which cannot be said.’ Having incorporated his loss and freedom of expression in music Brandon received awards from state and local competitions in Arizona.
"Free and expressive playing!" Brice Kimball
"A natural teacher, effortlessly transitioning concepts to practice," Dr. Lisa Zdechlik
"Expressive with a maturity that can only come from experience,” TMTA juror.
“When I close my eyes I can get lost in the musicality I believe I am listening to a professional adult.” Arizona State Competition juror.
"His playing controlled my very breadth, each phrase and shape drawing me further in," Kathryn O'Sullivan
Baroque
J.S. Bach Chromatische Fantasie und Fuge_d minor
J.S. Bach Partita No.2 in c minor: Sinfonia, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande
Classical
Haydn Piano Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:20
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 in c minor, Op.13 "Pathetique"
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90
Romantic
Rachmaninoff Preludes: Op.3: No.2 in C-Sharp minor, Op.23: No.5 in G minor, Op.23: No.10 in G-Flat Major, Op.32: No.10 in b minor, Op.32: No.11 in B Major
Chopin: Nocturnes in C-Sharp minor, Op. Posth., Deux Nocturnes Op.48 - N.1 in c minor, Waltz, Op.64, No.2 in C-Sharp minor.
Debussy Preludes: Bruyeres, La Cathedrale Engloutie
Enrique Granados: Escanas Romanticas , Danza Espanolas Op.37: No.5 in E minor "Andaluza"
Joaquin Turina: Suite Pittoresque: Sevilla
Concerto
Camille Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor, Op.22
Class Piano Assistant Instructor: January 2020-May 2021
I create instructional videos and teach live at the Fred Fox School of Music on solo repertoire, introductions to new scales, improvisation workshops, harmonization techniques, sight-reading tests as well as compose the materials to be used for the harmonization and sight-reading examples.
Private Piano Instructor: Spring 2020-Present
I teach online and in person piano lessons focusing anthologies by Alfred's, Bastian, Faber, etc. My teaching includes music history, theory, repertoire. Students range from beginners of all levels and ages from as young as 5 to matured adult.
UA MTNA Collegiate Chapter - President: August 2021-May 2022
I served as the Co-President of the UArizona's Collegiate MNTA chapter were we would put on programs and sponsor events to expand pedagogical teachings as well as promote new teachers the opportunity to practice their own methods on young pianists, varying from beginner to young intermediate.
I am a recent graduate of The University of Arizona with a doctorate in piano performance. I have served as teaching assistant in group piano and president of the collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association at the University. I love Tucson, and I am passionate about teaching students of all ages and levels. Ever since I was an infant, I was fascinated by the sounds that the piano keys make. Although I started playing early, my relationship to music was not exclusive: I was trained in ballet and took art lessons. My past has molded me into the pedagogue I am today: I incorporate visuals and movement in my piano lessons with all students —some are auditory, some are visual, and others are kinesthetic learners. Please visit my website if you want to learn more about me at elenistavrianou.weebly.com.
Staff Musician, Ballet Accompanist (2020-present)
The University of Arizona School of Dance
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Group Piano (2019-present)
The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
Piano Instructor (2020)
Tucson Youth Music Center
Adjunct Professor of Piano (2018)
Public Music School of Ilion, Athens, Greece
Public Relations and Administration (2017-2018)
Piano Plus Festival non-profit, Athens, Greece
Doctor of Musical Arts (May 2021)
The University of Arizona
Master of Music (2016)
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Bachelor of Music (2014)
Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
Piano Performance Diploma (2007)
Musical Horizons Conservatoire, Athens, GR