Hello and Welcome!

 

I’m Sam Whitesell, a versatile pianist and innovative music teacher based in Burlington, VT, USA, and founder of Burlington Piano Lessons offering fun and creative piano lessons for ages 4+!

 

One of Vermont's most sought-after performing pianists and private music instructors, I'm equally at home in the worlds of Classical, Jazz, Pop, worship music, and beyond.

 

At Burlington Piano Lessons, I strive to maintain a teaching environment that is safe, supportive, welcoming, nurturing, and compassionate, empowering kids (and adults!) to be their fun, authentic, wacky, creative, imaginative selves!

 

You can hear some of our young students' performances on Burlington Piano Lessons' YouTube Channel !

 

I believe imagination, play, and freedom of self-expression are all important aspects of the creative process of music learning, and that music itself is a natural form of creative self-expression.

 

Working with kids with ADHD and other neurodivergencies and/or who otherwise have an abundance of energy and imagination is a special passion of mine!

 

I also really enjoy supporting retired adults in rediscovering their musical dreams of which they may have lost track, helping them find self-fulfillment, develop confidence, overcome self-criticism and self-doubt, and get in touch with a deeper sense of Self.

 

I subscribe to a whole-person approach to music study integrating Body, Mind, and Spirit. With adult students especially, we even sometimes explore music study as a meditative practice.

 

An avid life-long learner, I enjoy staying on the cutting edge of both in-person and online music instruction!

 

I love to stay up to date on the brain-based science of learning and it’s practical application to music study.

 

I also love keeping up with the ongoing scientific exploration of ADHD and other neurodivergencies including Autism Spectrum--the unique gifts they bring, and  their potential impacts on learning and child development.

 

As a performing pianist, I regularly perform most Sunday mornings as pianist at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont.

 

I also love supporting the community as pianist for local middle school and high school students in performances and auditions.

 

I teach lessons both in-person and online out of my inviting home studio near the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain.

 

I look forward to exploring together all that music lessons can offer!