Dr. Heather Moore

I believe that music is for everybody, and that belief guides my teaching. Anyone can benefit from piano lessons, regardless of their age, learning style, circumstances, and musical goals. For this reason, I do my best to individually tailor every student's lessons to their needs and desires. Do you want to go the classical route, and enter competitions and Certificate of Merit? Let's do it. Are you more of a jazz person? Great. Do you just want to learn as a relaxing pastime? Awesome. 

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My standard approach to teaching is holistic. Lessons include a wide variety of musical styles, including classical, jazz, blues, rock, and pop. Along with repertoire, students will learn music theory, history, and "Practical Piano Skills" such as accompaniment, improvisation, and chording. Students also receive performance and recital opportunities.

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Whatever your musical goals and interests may be, I am here to help you accomplish them. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. 

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For more information, please read my studio policy.

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If you're looking for a pianist for your church service, party, wedding, club meeting, memorial service, reception, (or anything, really), look no further. I am happy to provide background music, perform as a soloist, or sit in with an ensemble.  

Styles include:

• Classical and contemporary classical 

• Jazz/blues

• Rock and popular 

• Religious

• Special requests (ex. video game music)

Accompanying holds a special place in my heart. My mother was the music teacher at the local intermediate school, and as soon as I was old enough to read music, she had me playing with all of her student groups. Since then, I have accompanied several school bands, orchestras, and choirs, as well as student and professional soloists. 

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I am available for:

• Ensemble rehearsals

• Practice sessions 

• Concerts

• Auditions and audition recordings 

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On a broad level, my research examines the intersections between popular music and politics in the twentieth century. I am particularly interested in the music and culture of East Germany and its broader connections to Cold War geopolitics. My dissertation focused on a subset of East German electronic musicians active in the late 1970s and 1980s, a cohort I am continuing to research.  Beyond this, I am interested in popular music (particularly art/progressive rock, electronic music, and experimental genres) and film music.

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Some of my recent publications include:

• “Vykintas Baltakas” MGG Online. July 10, 2024. https://www.mgg-online.com/articles/mgg09039/2.0/mgg09039.​

• “The Sound of Krautrock: A Musicological Analysis.” In The Cambridge Companion to Krautrock, edited by Uwe Schuette. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022.

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​Much of my research has been dedicated to public-facing scholarship through Regimes Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution that studies the impact of authoritarian dictatorial governments on society and culture. Through this institution, I have curated exhibitions, given guest lectures and public presentations, and written entries in the museum's scholarly journal.

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Want to bring those song ideas to life? Well, I'm here to help! In addition to twenty-plus years of training in music theory, I have arranged for band, orchestra, small groups, choir, solo instruments, jazz ensembles, and solo piano. I even write music for my own band, Android Superstation! I love the creative process of songwriting, and I'm happy to help with whatever your needs may be.

​I am available for:

• Fleshing out song ideas

• Harmonizing parts

• Writing arrangements (from lead sheets to full arrangements)

• Transcriptions

I am also one of the on-call pianists at Hear No Evil Studio in Orange, CA, where I can help you turn your musical dreams into studio-recorded reality.

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