Music Lessons in Airlie, VA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

My teaching philosophy encourages exploration of music with a focus on the uniqueness of each individual student and their particular aspirations, typically emphasizing reading classical music and improvising solos for Jazz or other more contemporary styles while having fun growing as a musician! I try to make sure lessons are fun and rewarding by adapting my teaching style to focus on the student's learning style and interests. For jazz students I encourage a lot of back and forth play-a-long between myself and the student or between the student and a play-a-long track. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I had an opportunity to start teaching early as a student leader in my high school music program and continuing into college. I've found that my students have a much higher level of success when they are encouraged to practice regularly at home. I use classical repertoire to build techniques across styles and modern music to keep students engaged. If they aren't enjoying themselves, I'm not doing something correctly. I encourage students to enter recitals and competitions as well as create their own original material. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Double Bass Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

As I have taught for many years, I feel encouraged and motivated when I can pass along my love for music. Nothing is more inspiring to me than to see someone's face light up when they pick up their instrument and learn. I set tailored goals for my students to reach every week, so that they have specific targets to reach. Positive reinforcement is the key to keeping a motivated student, and I encourage them in anyway possible making myself available to them throughout the week even after the lesson is over.  Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My first experience as a teacher came as a sophomore and junior in high school. I was involved with a program where high school students would work with elementary school band students once a week, and help them work on their band program music and develop their musicality. I found the experience to be extremely rewarding, and have maintained that interest in teaching. I spent time in college working as a music theory tutor for beginning music students, and in graduate school worked to develop and implement lesson plans for beginning clarinetists. 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: Guitar Voice

Functional Voice Method, also known as Rabine Method is a voice pedagogy created by singer, chorus director and voice teacher Maestro Eugene Rabine. Voice health is essential and the cornestone of this pedagogy. Understanding our physiollogy and anatomy and how to reach a balance in wich the vocal cords can work with no extra stress or tension. Self-perception is the guide and nothing is more comfortating that getting in touch with our own physiology, rather than follow external rules or images of how our voices should work or sound. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am passionate about helping others find their passion especially in music. I love teaching people how to make cool sounds with their voices. What I run into a lot is that a long time ago someone told My student that they could not sing and it's funny how people carry that with them throughout their lives so my job is to change that perception. It's not always easy. I tried to give my students clear expectations of what I want and try to make them feel comfortable by using humor and getting them to relax and not be afraid to make an ugly sound Read More