Hank Harrison

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Hank Harrison studied music throughout high school and college (Polk State University and Florida State University), focusing on Music Theory and Jazz Studies.  He performed with various ensembles, including performance groups at Cypress Gardens and the Disney Theme parks.  He was also a solo performer at the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater, Florida.  He has performed concerts all over the United States, including regular performances in Laughlin, Nevada casino venues and resort hotels in Orlando, Florida.  Hank was a national touring artist and educator representing Lowrey Organ Products for over 18 years. 

Hank began teaching in 1982 and has been a sought-after instructor ever since.  His unique approach to piano and organ/keyboard has helped him develop a different style with students that keeps them learning music (music THEY love) quickly and maintains their interest and enthusiasm about the music learning experience.   He regularly teaches special workshops on playing “by ear” as well as music arranging and composition.

Hank also plays trombone, trumpet and tuba as well as actively composes and arranges music.  He has made many recordings and much of his music is available on CD through internet and other retailers.  

My Musical Education Background

Hank studied music throughout high school and college (Polk State University), focusing on Music Theory and Jazz Studies.  He performed with various ensembles, including performance groups at Cypress Gardens and the Disney Theme parks.  He was also a solo performer at the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Clearwater, Florida.  He has performed concerts all over the United States, including regular performances in Laughlin, Nevada casino venues and resort hotels in Orlando, Florida.

Hank began teaching in 1982 and has been a sought-after instructor ever since.  His unique approach to piano and organ/keyboard has helped him develop a different style with students that keeps them learning music (music THEY know!) quickly and maintains the  interest and enthusiasm about the learning experience.   He regularly teaches special workshops on playing “by ear” as well as music arranging and composition.

His focus in his teaching career is now on students that decide to learn to play as adults or teens.  His encouraging attitude and fun approach to the disciplines of music are what keeps students coming to him year after year.  He keeps lessons relevant and fun! 

Hank was a key figure in a music study conducted by the University of Miami, the University of Kansas and the University of South Florida in 1994-1995 that set out to demonstrate that learning music, especially for senior adults, has measurable health and wellness benefits.  This study is quite well known in music education and music therapy circles.  The research validated the long-held belief among music industry professionals:

Music-making provides substantial health and wellness benefits to participants.   Hank was one of the key facilitators in the study and still participates in related studies and research to this day.

Hank also plays trombone, trumpet and tuba as well as actively composes and arranges music.  He has made many recordings and much of his music is available on CD through internet and other retailers.  He has present and past affiliations with many music industry companies and individuals, including:

Kawai Piano, Compton, CA – Former Representative/Artist

Yamaha Musical Instruments, Buena Park, CA – Former Dealer/Representative

Roland US, Ontario, CA – Dealer/ Representative

Wurlitzer, Olive Branch, MS – Former Dealer/Representative/Artist

Lowrey Organ, LaGrange Park (Chicago), IL – Former Dealer/Representative/Performing Artist

Hammond Organ Company, Addison, IL – Dealer/Representative

Graduate, Wurlitzer Academy (Piano/Organ)    w Graduate, Roland Learning Center Graduate, Lowrey University    w Member, Tri-Sate Jazz Symposium, Florida St. Univ

He is also a recommended instructor by many professional musicians, including members of the Florida Orchestra, and nationally known recording artists George Winston and Tony Monaco and Shawn Brown.  Hanks also works frequently with jazz vocalist and  Las Vegas Entertainers’ Hall of Fame Member, Carme Pitrello, who lauds Hank’s teaching style as engaging and effective .

Hank now teaches private and group music lessons at Central Music Studios, Clearwater, Florida.  He continues to perform music in select venues throughout the US.   His one son is a former high school drum major multi-instrumentalist and current recording musician.  

Genres and Subjects Taught

In 2009, Hank began focusing his educational offerings on adults (and "almost-adults") so that he could bring the enjoyment of music-making to an audience that SOUGHT it with a sincere passion.  Consequently, his areas of teaching expertise are:

• Adult beginners
• Students with some childhood or youth exposure to music, but little/no music background as an adult
• Current musicians who want to ADD piano/keyboard to their set of skills  (e.g., guitar players who want to play keyboard also)
• Singers who want to learn to accompany themselves or ensembles
• Players who have studied "structured" music who want to to kearn to play WITHOUT written music   (i.e., "play by ear.")  --  Yes, it is a very teachable skill!
• Music composers who want to learn to WRITE (transcribe) their creations
• Music arranging for various ensembles
• Music Theory and Music Theory Supplemental (for college students taking music theory who need additional coaching)
• Improvsation
• Jazz Stylings and Comping

SPECIALTIES IN THESE MUSIC GENRES:

• Jazz
• Blues
• Pop
• Rock
• R & B/Soul/Funk
• Black Gospel
• Southern Gospel
• Country
• Easy Listening   

AND FOR MUSIC STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PERSONALIZED, PRIVATE and ARCHIVE-ABLE LESSONS VIA INTERNET . . . . VIRTUAL MAESTRO!

VIRTUAL MAESTRO - Since early 2016, Hank has offered an all-new program for those whose schedule or ability to get to lessons males it difficult to get a music education.  The VIRTUAL MAESTRO program, cfreated by Hank, has been EXTREMELY successful.  There are Virtual Maestro students all over the world - Seattle, WA - London, UK - Longboat Key, FL - Toledo, OH - Nassau, Bahamas

Lesson Rates

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I teach students ages 14- adult.  I have special certification for working with older adults as well.  My teaching system is music-based rather than method-book based, so younger children usually don't learn as well that way.

My Certifications and Awards

Hank is endorsed by many local and national music associations as well as musicians amnd music educators from various circles.  He enjoys a "5 star" rating in every student-generated review on social media.  

His supporters include:

Dr. John Carmichael, Director of Wind Ensembles, University of South Florida

Richard Sparrow, French Horn, The Florida Orchestra

Choy Lozada,  National Performing Aritist for Roland Musicsl Instruments

as well as many more . . . .   

Hank was awarded music certifications from:

The Wurlitzer Academy, Olive Branch, MS

The Roland Learning Center, Compton, CA

Lowrey University, LaGrange Park, IL

My Musical Influences

Jazz is the voice of the soul!

Oscar Peterson, James Moody, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFarren, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Gene Harris, Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, Stan Kenton, Arturo Sandoval, Hubert Laws, Ron Carter

    . . . . all great jazz performers who influence Hank's playing style

Greatest personal influences in life:

Bill Agrella - Hank's middle school band teacher, who had the haert for music, the love for his kids and the patience of Job  (usually!)

John Carmichael - Hank's High School band director who pushed for excellence and taught Hank that nothing great just HAPPENS - extreme effort and personal discipline yield exceptional results 

Art Motz - A long time firnd and, in Hank's estimation, one of the most talented musicians that has ever lived.  Hank says, "Art taught me that it is possible to put a hundred chords between C and G."

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