Private Lessons

Piano/Organ

Playing piano since age 8 and organ since age 12, Charlie majored in organ at U. of Indiana and U. of Pittsburgh and has been active as a church organist since age 23, currently serving at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in McKees Rocks. where he also directs the choir and teaches. Piano teaching specializes in young beginners (age 4 and up) using the Suzuki method, and older beginners.

Flute/Recorder/Tinwhistle

Self-taught on flute, recorder and tinwhistle, Charlie has focused his performance on the 8-key, 19th century wooden flute and folk style flutes, especially Irish. He teaches both on various folk flutes, recorders, tinwhistle, and the more familiar orchestral/band version of the flute.

Banjo

Charlie's banjo teaching is based on his experience and connection with Appalachian styles of banjo playing, variously known as "clawhammer", "old-time", or "frailing" banjo.Through years of attending festivals, jams and workshops, he has deepened his knowledge of this style, stemming from the original, African way of playing the banjo. His teaching has included private lessons and classes at the Calliope School of Folk Music.

Guitar 

First picking up a guitar around age 14, Charlie has continued to be  fascinated and awed by the range and variety this instrument is capable of. Primarily self-taught, he has recently restricted his guitar playing to back up for singing and his orginal songwriting. He has taught guitar at a beginner/intermediate level for 30 years, both private lessons and classes for CCAC and the Calliope School.

To make an appointment for lessons or ask a question,send email to: Charlie

Classes 

Harmony Singing - Bluegrass Style

Charlie has been teaching the art of singing two, three, and four-part harmony for more than 15 years. In his classes for the Calliope School he helps students learn to find harmonies for songs from the bluegrass and folk repertoire in duet, trio and quartet styles.

Classes are currently being offered through the Calliope School of Folk Music.

Tinwhistle for Beginners

 Whether you’ve just purchased a whistle or have been “noodling” away for a while, come learn to play this humble but wonderful instrument! In this class, you’ll learn all about tin whistle as it’s used in Irish Traditional music. We’ll cover fingering, breathing and tone as we learn some simple Irish Tunes. We’ll also introduce you to beginning Irish ornamentation as used on the whistle. No need to read music, you can play by ear (or music will be provided if you want). Students must bring a “D” whistle, and a recording device is highly recommended.

Classes are currently being offered through the Calliope School of Folk Music.

Contact the Calliope Office at 412-361-1915 or click on the link above to register for a class or get more information.

Music Theory for Folk Musicians

Here's a class demystifying all those terms you hear  musicians tossing around: keys, chords, scales, harmony, dissonance, etc. If you are a singer who wonders what to say when the guitar player asks you what key you want to sing in, this class will help. If you are a guitar player who wonders what to do when the singer changes keys on you, this class will help. Learn to sing what you play and play what you sing. We will use folk songs and the Kodaly music education techniques to get more comfortable with the structure behind melodies and harmony and the terms used to describe them. For instrumentalist and singers with basic music skills. 

Classes are currently being offered through the Calliope School of Folk Music.

Contact the Calliope Office at 412-361-1915 or click on the link above to register for a class or get more information.

Sacred Harp Singing Workshops

These workshops present in a condensed form, a traditional "Singing School" in the style of the Sacred Harp, a tune book dating from 1844. The songs in the Sacred Harp draw from folk music of the British Isles, early America, hymns, camp-meeting songs, and anthem, arranged in three and four-part harmony. We will explore the tunes in the Sacred Harp, learn the basics of the singing style, and try singing some of the easier pieces. These workshops are especially appropriate for a church function or other gathering.

To book a workshop or ask a question, contact Charlie