Music Lessons in Cradock, VA

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching experience began at age eighteen, in 1997, when I started teaching private lessons part time until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I've taught at piano retail establishments, in home and currently I'm teaching in my own studio. I'm a recording artist, singer and composer. I've performed at weddings, graduations, multiple dinner dates and church functions. I am currently the Minister of Music at Sixth Street Baptist Church in Suffolk Va. where I am required to prepare vocal and music arrangements for morning services. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students, the Faber Faber series or the Alfred series are recommended as a core repertoire. A Dozen A Day is recommended for daily warm-ups and I also provide the students with supplementary songs and books of their choice, such as Disney, pop, jazz and popular classical pieces transcribed for beginner piano. For adult students, I use the Faber Faber method book that provides an overall comprehensive and fast pace lesson style. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

One is listening analysis. I like to play music of different styles and have students listen to different parts of a song. I also like doing rhythmic dictation. This is where a student listens to a line I play and tried to write it out note for note. It enables them to learn how to physically write the notes and fully understand the value of each note. Another option is drum set. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Piccolo Mallet Percussion

I am a middle school band director that has over 20 years experience. I love sharing my love of music. I graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Education. I also have a Masters of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Instrumental/Choral Education. Currently I teach beginning band, intermediate band, advanced band, jazz band, and beginning chorus at a local middle school. I also help with a local high school marching band. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

For beginning students, I typically teach using Hal Leonard's Essential Elements book and the Flesch Urstudien book. Every student is different. I treat my students as individuals and adjust my teaching style to achieve optimal results. The way you practice reflects on how much enjoyment you get from playing and how well you perform at recitals/auditions, etc… I spend a significant amount of time, especially with new students, on the art of practicing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My current formal teaching experience came about in college. I gave several acoustic guitar lessons to some beginner guitarists in Chapel Hill. However, the majority of my instruction experience has come about more informally. As a songwriter, composer, and bandleader in multiple Chapel Hill-based music acts, I have spent much time teaching other musicians the best ways to play certain pieces of music. Additionally, I have often showed these musicians helpful exercises and aided them in using practice strategies that are efficient and proven to yield results. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary student to student- we all learn differently and my objective is to find what works, wether it be a quick demonstration, or a complete breakdown right to the fundamentals. No student is too slow nor incapable. One of the things I really keep my eye on is technique- nothing is more detrimental to a student's progress than poor technique and adaptation! I can quickly spot these future difficulties, and help the student develop the proper means and WHY -with encouragement and positive reinforcement! Read More