Piano Teachers

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Aaron Gray (he/him)  is a pianist who, at the age of 8, started taking piano lessons under the tutelage of his grandmother, Frances. In college, he held the position of Rehearsal Pianist for the music department and accompanied and served as the assistant music director for various performances, including the opera Beautiful Bridegroom by Dan Shore and for the departmental musicals. He has served as music director for various local community theaters, high schools and colleges, and has also played for Saint Vincent Summer Theater’s professional summer stock. Aaron has also served as the organist/music director at various churches and was most recently the Music Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Scottsdale, Pa. He is also the studio accompanist for Mezzo-Soprano Maureen Miller. 

In the past, he has served as the associate conductor for Westmoreland Choral Society and was the accompanist for Murrysville Masterworks Chorale. He received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance and studied under Mr. Thomas Octave (Voice/Conducting), Fr. Cyprian Constantine (Organ), Mrs. Susanna Lemberskaya (Vocal Coaching/Accompaniment) and Mrs. Lisa Zubritsky (Piano). Aaron currently owns, operates and teaches at Practice Makes Perfect Music Studio, serves as a teacher for the Piano Sensei. Aaron Teaches Piano Lessons in Connellsville and Piano Lessons in Greensburg.

When not performing or teaching Aaron likes to spend his free time with his wife Julia and daughter Cadence.When not performing or teaching Aaron likes to spend his free time with his wife Julia and daughter Cadence.

Aaron (he/him) is a pianist studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston and studies Music Performance as well as Contemporary Writing and Production. He has been playing since the age of 9 and has experience in playing in bands in many styles, namely jazz, funk, and pop. Aaron finds that, in his teaching, improvisation is the easiest way to open students up to learning, writing, and most importantly enjoying, music. As a piano and bass teacher, Aaron wants to help his students enjoy and feel the music and so endeavors to incorporate as much improvisation, ear training, and listening as possible into lessons. Aaron teaches piano and bass lessons virtually. 

Emma Jakiela (she/her) is a musician who started taking piano and organ lessons nearly 13 years ago with Chaz Bowers. She continued her studies with him when she was accepted into Seton Hill University’s Visual and Performing Arts Program. Throughout college, she has been an avid participant in choirs such as Setonia, Una Voce, and the Saint Cecilia Ringers. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy. Emma teaches piano and organ in Greensburg.

Emma is the lead school age staff at a local daycare, and loves to incorporate the arts into daily activities. In her free time, she enjoys working on her art, backpacking, and spending time with her partner and fellow PMP instructor, Eli. She is eager to start this new journey as an instructor! 

Kate is going into her 4th year as a music major at Saint Vincent College. Her love of music began with some piano and continued with twelve years of musical theater, but her focus has shifted to piano and voice. Kate has served as a music director for various musicals and productions with Saint Vincent, and The Hometown Arts Troup.  She also currently serves as the accompanist for the Church Of The Good Shepherd in Kent Pa. She has experience playing guitar, playing organ for churches, and conducting choirs. She is excited to be a part of PMP.”

Julia (she/her) is an experienced musician who lives in the Greensburg area. She is originally from North Huntingdon where she started playing bass, her first instrument, at 8 years old.  Julia played in the symphony orchestra at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education. She regularly plays for local college, high school, and community musicals. She has been a member of the Seton Hill flute choir, as well as a paid member of Sinfonia in Seton Hill. Julia continues to be an active member of the music community and looks forward to the opportunity to teach music lessons with Practice Makes Perfect music studio! Julia teaches in both Connellsville and Greensburg.

Scott Goodman (he/him) was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned a BA in Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In addition to enjoying a long career as an elementary and middle school music educator, Scott is a board-certified music therapist, author/composer of the academic-based music program Music, Math & Money, and creator of Staff Saver, a perforated carbonless music manuscript paper system. Scott is a well-rounded and accomplished musician and is able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in music theory, songwriting, and performance. He is an experienced and engaging music educator who loves sharing his skills and talents to inspire his students, and he can be counted on to commit personal resources and expertise to ensure that each student has the opportunity to realize their maximum potential. When not performing or teaching, Scott likes to spend his free time with his wife Gina, son Sam, and daughters Ellis and Annie.  Scott teaches Piano, voice, guitar, bass and ukulele in Greensburg.

I began teaching private violin/viola lessons while a senior at Norwin Senior High School. I continued to teach privately while majoring in Music Education at Seton Hill University. Upon gradutating from Seton Hill, I continued my graduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I also taught one year in Good Shepherd Catholic School in Braddock, a full time substitute string teacher in Mount Lebanon School District and then a part time postion at Saint Edwards Catholic School in Herminie. All the while, I have continued to teach piano, violin, viola, cello, voice, flute, guitar and theory privately. I was also a choir director at West Hempfield Presbyterian Church in Irwin Pa.
Victoria teaches Piano, Violin, Viola, cello, flute, guitar and voice lessons in Greensburg and Connellsville.

Specialties: Students learn to practice, theory and ensemble playing. I also perform solo as a violinist for weddings or special events. 

Tom (he/him) grew up in Greensburg, and began performing locally as a guitarist/vocalist in 2010. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2016 and worked in Boston as a music instructor and radio station production manager until 2019. Since moving back to Pennsylvania, Tom has continued teaching while writing and recording original music. He is signed to Mint 400 Records as a solo artist and has performed in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Providence. Excited to be working with PMP, Tom especially enjoys working with beginner guitarists and any musicians with interest in composition/songwriting. He teaches guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, drum, and voice lessons in Greensburg.Victoria teaches Piano, Violin, Viola, cello, flute, guitar and voice lessons in Greensburg and Connellsville.

Specialties: Students learn to practice, theory and ensemble playing. I also perform solo as a violinist for weddings or special events.