Guitar Lessons in Clear Spring, DC

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience goes back to my college days, as I began teaching private adult lessons for my Studio class 5 years ago and have been teaching privately ever since. For the past year, however, I've been an elementary music teacher in Washington, D.C. I am certified to teach Pre-K-12th grades in public schools, although I usually coach adults privately. I now live in Richmond and gig around the area frequently at weddings, churches, and local venues/theatres. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

My teaching methods focus on building on the fundamentals of embodied proficiency with music (not just how to "read what's on the page", but first how to feel and delve into what's happening with all the moving parts and their many relationalities). For both children and adult students, before getting into structures and representations, the starting point will be the embodied feelings and experiences of and around music. In the first lesson, even my absolutely-beginner students will be having fun jamming, exploring and applying newly-learned things before we even talk about what a major scale is. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

I believe in being being honest and encouraging, allowing students the chance to struggle and fail in a safe environment, while stressing and correcting proper techniques. I encourage practicing a little almost every day of the week, and finding what fires you up about the instrument. I also make sure to take an interest in student's lives beyond music- people are busy, and I understand those pressures! Besides that, music can relate to many areas and disciplines in life, and one's own previous experiences offer many methods for greater understanding. Read More

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

I am a composer, pianist, guitarist, and singer. In 2016, I graduated from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition. Prior to this, I obtained a Master of Music degree from Peabody in 2007, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arkansas in 2004. I have had performances of my music in Baltimore, New York, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Fayetteville, AR. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Students that work with me aren't getting a teacher who won't challenge them to reach their goals. Like many of the students that come to me for lessons, I learned guitar at a relatively late age well into my teens. I was able to catch up to my peers by maintaining a diligent, intentional and varied practice regiment. I am half your teacher, half your coach. At the end of every lesson you will walk away with a clear idea of what your goals are, what you are going to practice this week and why I chose the homework I assigned. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I don't take a one-size-fits-all-approach to my students. Children and adults have different needs. Even among children, the needs of a young child vary greatly from those of a teenager. I will use method books where appropriate, particularly with young children, but I've found that a more creative approach tends to lead to students having more fun, accomplishing more in the long run, and developing positive associations with learning a musical instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

Adult students I have taught typically want to learn to do two things: 1) accompany themselves on an instrument while singing a popular song or 2) learn to play with others ... whether that be a jam session during a jazz set ... or playing behind someone else that is singing or playing a lead instrument. For these adult learners I lean toward teaching chords, arpeggios and scales. Important: I suggest that a student only practice 15 to 20 minutes a day ... whatever amount of time it takes to cover the lesson. Read More