Music Lessons in Cascade, DC

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

It is very important for the music instructor to learn the nature and characteristics of his/her students. It is crucial that the teacher can make adjustments to teach according to the nature of their students, some students can learn really fast and may have a desire to be pushed harder, but many students are either normal or may require a longer time to digest the material. I encourage students to practice in order to help their progress and I always model for students in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I'm a performer and educator motivated most by the flash of joy I see in students' faces when they first grasp a new musical concept. With a global perspective on music cultivated by my background performing Brazilian music and American Jazz since childhood, and further bolstered by a B.A. in Anthropology: Ethnomusicology from Ithaca College, I have been a full time touring musician for the last 10 years. In addition to mainstage festival appearances all over the country, I have been lucky enough to teach clinics and master classes in percussion at top conservatories and universities such as Oberlin College & Georgetown University, as well as workshops in high schools, middle schools, & elementary schools all over the US. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I want my students to discover their own voice on the drums, to find their own rhythms and express themselves authentically. Technical proficiency is important, of course, but it's only one part of the equation. I believe in nurturing a love of music that goes hand-in-hand with technical skills. By encouraging exploration and experimentation, I help my students tap into their creativity and discover the therapeutic power of drumming. It's about finding joy in the process, building confidence, and using the drums as a means of self-discovery. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically Start with Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber. Once student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for the recital performance. For adults, if student is beginner, I usually start with Alfreds Adult Beginner book. If adult student already learned basic and start lessons again, I try to find out what the student is interested in. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am very passionate about music, and I try to motivate my students towards a similar love of music of all styles and genres. In 2014, I have completed my studies at Boston University, where I completed a PhD in Musicology with a focus on jazz of the 1930s and 1940s. I have performed at such venues as the Kennedy Center, the Boston Symphony Hall, the Taylor House, and the Kreeger Museum as a solo and ensemble musician. Read More

Instruments: Voice

My method is the chest mix head method. I teach lessons about chest, mix, and head voice and how to smoothly transition between them and eventually have them become one. I help students find their range, I teach proper breathing techniques and warm ups that are right for helping them reach their full voice potential and even assist with choosing the perfect song for auditions and give audition confidence prep tips from someone who has auditioned and made performance roles in musical theatre productions in Pittsburgh Pa. Read More

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

For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More