At Portzline Music Academy, the focus is on the total musical experience in training your child.  In Diana Portzline’s approach to piano teaching, this means that the student does far more than simply learn to play the piano.  He or she is learning many diverse musical skills that apply to all musical activity that may be pursued in the future.  The emphasis is on developing total musicianship, which includes ear training, singing in tune, rhythmic development, tonal and rhythmic pattern recognition—both aural and visual– listening skills, and music appreciation.  Students who stay in the program for several years do not just “push buttons” when playing their instruments.  They hear, feel, experience, and understand the music!

In children’s music classes students are taught not only to sing and to listen to music, but are taught many skills designed to prepare them for a lifetime of informed musical enjoyment.  Children begin by experiencing music through listening and singing.  Musical elements such as rhythmic and tonal music patterns are identified to develop tonal recognition and rhythmic feel and to prepare for the eventual reading of musical notation.  Concepts are reinforced through fun music games and playing simple classroom percussion instruments.

As the child progresses he or she becomes more and more prepared for future training with musical instruments, solo vocal and choir experiences, dancing to music, and enjoying the best quality music throughout their lives. To summarize, a solid musical foundation is indispensable for success in future music learning and other musical experiences!

Diana’s rich musical background has been indispensable to her teaching.  Her influences include many prominent music educators.  Several are listed below along with their particular influences:

• Zoltan Kodaly—A well-known classical composer, Kodaly is also known for his emphasis on the use of folk music and the use of proper singing skills in the music training of children.
• Shinichi Suzuki—Best known for his emphasis on the development of the ear in the training of young violinists, he has also advocated the use of folk music in his “mother tongue” approach.
• Carl Orff—Another well-known classical composer, Orff developed a training methodology focusing on basic musical elements, especially rhythm, through the use of percussion instruments.
• Jacques Dalcroze—His emphasis on the use of movement in the musical training of young children is indispensable to the teaching of young children.
• Edwin Gordon—Highly recognized music educator at Temple University, Gordon is known for his systematic approach to music training which begins with aural recognition, leading to aural reproduction, and finally to the notation of learned musical elements.

Diana has sought for many years to incorporate these ideas into her teaching of piano and children’s music classes.  In 2001 Diana teamed up with Musikgarten, because of the excellent materials they have developed for children’s music learning, including beginning piano instruction.

Portzline Music Academy’s goal is to develop the whole musician in your child.