Flute Lessons in Dumfries, VA

Instruments: Flute Piccolo Music

I use a combination of methods tailored to a student's needs and goals. With very young students, I use play to focus on movement and musical thinking. With young students who are reading or starting to read, I usually use a combination of the Suzuki method and traditional French methods like Moyse, focusing on singing, memory, and tunefulness while allowing students to self-direct the learning of reading sheet music. With teen and adult beginners, I focus a bit more on literacy and rhythm while providing a combination of quickly learned progressive pieces and long-term projects. Read More

Instruments: Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Music

My teaching style is fun and engaging! In a typical lesson, I chat with a student for 1-2 minutes, go into warm-ups, drone work, technique, etudes, concert pieces, and sight-reading. Goals are set with all parties involved (student, parent/guardian, teacher, music director). I love to inspire my student through many various avenues while giving them additional musical opportunities where they can perform or learn new skills. This is my motto surrounding music: Music is the social act of communication among people, a gesture of friendship, the strongest there is." Malcolm Arnold Read More

Instruments: Flute

For younger beginning student I prefer to use Essential Elements for a good foundation. For older beginners I prefer the Rubank Method. Once the basics are grasped I add in level appropriate solo music. As the students progress I move either into the Rubank Method for younger students or the Trevor Wye method for the older students. I also like to utilize duets and other ensemble pieces if I have multiple students. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Drums Music

I am a firm, fair, and disciplined instructor. I believe in leading by example and that the only way to become great at something is with dedication, practice and patience. I begun my musical journey at 4 on the flute classically, I consider myself self taught until highschool where I begun to pick up and play any instrument I could get my hands on. I have performed in a large classical symphonic orchestra, solo, small ensembles of Jazz as well as on the world stage as a competive highland bagpiper. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Students can expect to work from a variety of method books to study instrumental techniques, and music theory. For beginning students I prefer Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, but also work with any method book a student uses in their band class. Students will also work from the Peters/Yoder Master Theory Series. We will also incorporate a students "favorite" music to help develop listening skills and gain a level of comfort and familiarity with improvisation from the very beginning of their lessons with me. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

A native Washingtonian, tenor saxophonist Brian graduated from the prestigious Duke Ellington School of The Arts, a product of master teacher and musician Davey Yarborough. He earned his BFA from The New School University in New York City, studying under Arnie Lawrence, Steve Neil, Charles Davis, Reggie Workman and Chico Hamilton. In 2008 Brian completed a Master of Music (MM) degree from Howard University where he was a graduate teaching assistant and student of saxophone virtuoso, Charlie Young. Among others, Brian has performed with Curtis Fuller, Gil Scott-Heron, Shirley Horn, Stanley Turrentine, Stanley Clarke, Mickey Roker, Butch Warren, Freddie Redd, Tom Abbs & Frequency Response and currently plays with Tomas Fujiwara and the Hookup. Read More