About AlexandraAlexandra Perdew has been teaching harp and piano around the country for twenty years through her personal harp studio and the Salvi Harps Showroom in Southern California. In addition, she teaches in Foster City, Cupertino, and Gilroy California as well as teaching Skype lessons and coaching sessions to students around the world. She served as the Harp Lecturer at Stanford University 2018-2019. Her students have participated in local, regional, national, and international competitions, as well as playing in many orchestras. Her students have attended the Eastman School of Music, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, Carnegie Mellon University, Boston College, University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and DePauw University, among others. Her students have also performed with many professional orchestras and have also appeared as soloists on the Grammys.
Alexandra is passionate about teaching as an art, and about the difference she can make in the future of her students. Students perform in recitals, master classes, orchestral performances, rock/pop performances, exams and competitions throughout the year. Most high school students will go on to double major or minor in music at Universities around the country.
Past master classes have included: Kathleen Bride Sarah Bullen Patricia Masri - Fletcher Louise Vickerman Sivan Magen Kim Robertson Sasha Boldachev Ina Zdorovetchi Angel Padilla Crespo Elzbieta Szmytt Susan Allen Gayle Levant Stella Castelucci Robin Gordon Cartier Emmanuel Ceysson Yolanda Kondonasis Gwyneth Wentink. |
Request InformationIf you would like to take lessons from Alexandra, please fill out the form below. You can also contact her at Alexandraperdew01@gmail.com. If you are looking for a group training session, please also add that in the comments.
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Teaching Philosophy"I use several different approaches when teaching harp and piano performance and technique. All approaches involve theory and music history training, however, each student learns differently and each student has different weaknesses and strengths. I like teaching with an integrative approach, and believe in a collaborative environment. I encourage students to attend as many master classes as possible and take lessons from other master teachers who are in town. I also encourage students to perform, and when prepared, to compete or test for the ABRSM, CM and RCM exams.
I look for serious private students who want a teacher who takes their success seriously. From young students through adults, students can achieve whatever their teacher believes they can. They need a strong leader who encourages and mentors them to achieve what they could not even imagine. My mentors made me believe in my self, even when I thought learning or achieving something was impossible and I want my students to have the same experience. My students each have unique personalities which remain visible through their music. They enjoy the learning process and enhance their own musical thoughts instead of using the ideas of others as they grow and mature." General books every beginner should haveAdvanced theory booksStudent artist pageshttp://alexandraperdew.com/young-artists.html
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TEACHING REVIEWS
"Alexandra Perdew is an amazing teacher and mentor. She has worked with my son to prepare him for college auditions and he was not only accepted to several universities he was awarded scholarships. Without Alexandra's dedication this would not have been possible.
Alexandra is an avid performer yet she has a gift for understanding the needs of students at any level. She is patient, enthusiastic and encouraging as she challenges her students to develop and grow past their perceived limitations.
I have been a teacher and workshop facilitator for more than 20 years and have rarely run across a teacher of Alexandra's caliber. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with her take advantage of it. Few people are of her resolve, talent and character. She is an incredible teacher."
Aurora F.
Alexandra is an avid performer yet she has a gift for understanding the needs of students at any level. She is patient, enthusiastic and encouraging as she challenges her students to develop and grow past their perceived limitations.
I have been a teacher and workshop facilitator for more than 20 years and have rarely run across a teacher of Alexandra's caliber. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with her take advantage of it. Few people are of her resolve, talent and character. She is an incredible teacher."
Aurora F.
"I take skype lessons with Alexandra. She is a wonderful teacher. Alexandra started me off with real music right away. I didn't have to waste a lot of time playing things that I would never play again to learn a technique. She is very positive and is incredibly talented and well versed in what she teaches. She is a professional musician and knows what she is talking about. I highly recommend her. You would be lucky to have a teacher of this caliber helping you. It is like having a master class each time."
Talia S.
Talia S.
"Teacher Alex is the best music teacher I've ever seen, not only her exceptional teaching skill, techniques, knowledge, but also her extremely patience to kids. My son is with Alex for 4 years and he loves her and consider her as his another mother, Mrs Alex consistently encourages him and build up his confidence as he is very sensitive and shy kid. Now my daughter is also learning the harp with her and willing to make commitment to achieve high standard that Mrs Alex always teach."
Weizhen J.
Weizhen J.
"1st lessen was better than I anticipated. Alexandra's genuine interest and enthusiasm is encouraging. She recognizes and calls forth my previous musical training and with positive instruction shows me how to apply toward my learning of harp technique. I have had a passion to play the harp for quite some time. My first lesson with Alexandra gave me the opportunity to realize my potential for the harp and I feel supported moving forward."
Kenn T.
Kenn T.
"Alexandra is by far the most enthusiastic and invested harp teacher I have ever had. Her extensive background really lends itself to the music she teaches, whether it be small exercises for beginners, to giant harp solos for college students. She really inspires you to do your best, and actually makes you want to practice."
Margot R.
Margot R.
" A teenage boy and a 40-year-old woman do not go about learning an instrument (or music theory) in the same way, and Alexandra knows how to tailor her lessons to each students' needs -- definitely not a one-size-fits all teacher. Cheerful and encouraging, she knows how to walk the fine line between demanding excellent work and being a control freak. Whether you or your child want to learn music theory for any instrument, or the harp in particular, you can't go wrong with Alexandra. Also, for those who have to listen to anyone practicing a new instrument, it's hard to make an ugly sound on a harp."
Lawrence I.
Lawrence I.
"Best harp teacher I've had - adjusts teaching methods to fit the needs of the student while maintaining high standards and expectations from her students. Very warm and caring as well."
Annabel S.
Annabel S.
"Alex has been my harp teacher for a couple of years and has helped me grow as a harpist very quickly. I sought her out originally because I was looking for someone who was very particular about technique and knowing the best ways to practice. Someone who has the experience as a performer and as a teacher to be able to know what's necessary to become a good player, and be able to communicate and teach those skills.
I'm an adult student and I had only been playing for a year before I met her and she started me off with some really tough pieces. We worked through small sections at a time and turned some really awesome sounding music into things I could treat as etudes and exercises. It made practicing fun because it wasn't just basic sounding stuff. It was something I could practice as a drill, and by the end I could play something really challenging and complex that's fun to hear coming from my own hands.
I took in-person private lessons from her in the Bay Area but I've since moved out of state and now I take remote lessons over Skype. I'm very hard on myself and she's very supportive and encouraging, which helps me keep going and keep practicing. Alex has helped me become fearless as to what I can accomplish in a short period of time. I still have a ways to go, but I can see improvement in my playing on a weekly basis with her guidance.
Alex is the best!"
Eric
I'm an adult student and I had only been playing for a year before I met her and she started me off with some really tough pieces. We worked through small sections at a time and turned some really awesome sounding music into things I could treat as etudes and exercises. It made practicing fun because it wasn't just basic sounding stuff. It was something I could practice as a drill, and by the end I could play something really challenging and complex that's fun to hear coming from my own hands.
I took in-person private lessons from her in the Bay Area but I've since moved out of state and now I take remote lessons over Skype. I'm very hard on myself and she's very supportive and encouraging, which helps me keep going and keep practicing. Alex has helped me become fearless as to what I can accomplish in a short period of time. I still have a ways to go, but I can see improvement in my playing on a weekly basis with her guidance.
Alex is the best!"
Eric
"Alexandra is super patient and supportive. A bonus for me is that she has lots of male students. We had a rapport on my first day, and she knows when to push and when to help. She is extremely well connected in the harp world and has a track record of getting her students into great music schools. Alex is awesome."
L.
L.
"Alexandra is an excellent music teacher. She is by far the best harp teacher I have ever had. Alexandra has a genuine enthusiasm for teaching. She is very patient and encouraging, and has a real gift for communicating musical concepts in a way that can be understood. My harp lessons with Alexandra are always productive and motivating, and always a pleasure. I highly recommend Alexandra as a harp teacher!"
Joy C.
Joy C.
"Ms. Perdew is always on time, focused, and very helpful with all of my needs. I have been with her for almost 9 years and she has never disappointed!"
Melody
Melody