Guitar Lessons in Ashton, MD

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I sincerely believe that even the most basic material can be made to "sound good", and I stress this from the beginning. I'm big on playing duets. I'll tend to toss in tidbits about the physics of sound, or how muscle memory works. I like to engage the curiousity of the student in this way. I like to ask students about what music they like, and what they would like to do--play in a school talent show? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that the goal of music lessons is to discover what each student wants to achieve. Therefore, I seek to use different methods, lessons, and exercises that will work toward what each individual wishes to accomplish for themselves. If we can work together on a particular piece of music or a song that a student wants to learn, then there is a goal to accomplish and it is fun to reach that goal! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

On the first lesson, I like to help students create realistic, long-term goals for themselves. Then the student and I develop a plan to help them achieve them. Learning tools include method books, recordings of the lesson, and playing along with me. I also make solo pieces available, and encourage the student to participate in local recitals. My lessons generally follow the county public school's music curriculum and include rhythmic and melodic dictation, ear training, sightreading, theory and song form. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

My approach varies depending on the student's skill level and chosen instrument, but for beginners I always try to get them familiarized with their instrument: teaching them the basics of reading music and how to navigate the different keys (or strings, etc.). From there I start teaching various musical concepts, the rudiments of music theory, and begin introducing them to different styles of music. When the student is advanced enough, I start having them run through my own custom designed technique and skill drills, and have them start selecting music that they would like to perform on their own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music Keyboard

During my employment with Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education (in Wilson, NC) where I introduced a marching band program and lead the band to winning second place in the Music in the Parks competition in May of 2015. During my internship I was able to develop a percussion line with the students in under a month. The formation and level of proficiency of the percussion section was so astonishing that administrators, staff, other teachers, and even the principal dropped in from time to time just to hear the progression of the ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I teach music at extracurricular programs in many elementary and pre schools across the Northern Virginia and Maryland area. I also teach piano and guitar in my home studio in Fairfax. I feel qualified to teach children, age 5-18, and to do so in a way that each child feels happy, special, and encouraged. I have gained many skills over the years and the most valuable skill I gained is how to make students love the instrument they play! Read More