STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Sam Barsh
Alan Swain is one of my most important musical influences. When I began studying with Alan, I was 16 years old, and was starting to think about pursuing a career in music. I had been developing certain areas of my playing, but neglecting others, and I generally lacked focus. Alan set me on a practice regimen that had me developing all aspects of my musicianship equally. He helped me find and eliminate holes in my playing, allowing me to evolve into a very well-rounded musician. He also prodded me into new areas of compositional exploration, and was a great source of encouragement through my formative years of musical development.

The discipline and focus that Alan instilled in me have been one of the biggest factors in my success in music and my pursuit of a fulfilling, meaningful life. I am eternally grateful for the years I spent studying at Swain Studios.

Mark Miller
"... Alan Swain, professional jazz pianist / teacher has changed my life! I can honestly say that I would not be making a living performing and teaching jazz/pop piano had I not had the good fortune of taking lessons from Alan Swain back in 1980- 81. Immediately subsequent to my lessons I landed a gig on Grand Cayman Island for 6 months. This was the catalyst which launched my musical career."

Debbie Harris
I took jazz piano lessons from Alan Swain 70-72 while studying music at a community college. Prior to being referred to Mr. Swain by a percussion teacher at the community college, I had tried to learn jazz piano from numerous jazz instructors w/o much success.

Alan taught me to read chords and to voice them correctly, to improvise, and to create arrangements of pieces where only melody and chords were provided.
I continued with my music education and received a B.M. in piano performance from North Park University and an M.M. in piano performance from Ball State University. Later on I took the courses required to become a registered music therapist at DePaul University.

Upon completing my education I married and moved east. I have performed in night-clubs, restaurants and churches and also taught general music at the elementary level as well as private piano lessons. I also worked at a hospital in the psychiatric unit as a music therapist. I currently work full time at a high school in Vermont and split my time between the music dept., working as piano accompanist for the choral group and in spec. ed. as music therapist. The music dept has a web site that you can log onto and listen to our concerts www.bfamusic.org. I also teach piano privately and am organist/pianist at a nearby church. In all aspects of my music career I have found the training I received from Alan Swain to be invaluable.

Daniel J. Mrowinski
I started playing and studying drums at age 7 and continued in High School band, expanding into percussion - Vibes & Marimba. While in High School I took 2 years of piano from the local neighborhood teacher hoping to learn to play tunes my friends could relate to. I learned some basics but had a long way to go with really grabbing an attentive ear. Then I attended Depaul University as a Music Major (Percussion) and became increasingly interested in keyboard harmony, jazz voicings, and improvisation. Luckily, I studied with Alan Swain and became immediately influenced and inspired as his unique approach (4-Way Keyboard System) taught me to play jazz piano and sound like a pro in a relatively short time. Finally, I played for my friends and they loved it! Swain's method worked so well that I got my music degree, switched to piano as my axe and I have played it professionally ever since!

Alan is a sincere teacher of infinite practical knowledge coupled with years of professional musicianship behind him!

Kyle Gordon
Alan, I have always thought of you fondly, and truly appreciate all that you did for me. I just wanted to thank you, and let you know that the gifts you gave me have been so valuable to me, and have shaped the musician that I have become.