Music Lessons in Darnestown, MD

Instruments: Piano Voice

I prefer Piano Adventurers for the series I use to teach piano at all levels. Their series is clear and has the proper scope and sequence to teach all ages. I supplement that technique book with a book for finger independence. Hanon virtuoso exercises and scale. As far as my singing method books, I use an Italian technique for singing. The book I use often time is Vaccai. Mainly I use my ears to determine what the student needs to focus on. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will introduce solo repertoire suited for his or her first recital performance. I introduce etudes to the students after the student demonstrates the ability to play several simple pieces well. For intermediate and advanced students, I typically do not let them play a piece at a certain grade level until they have finished playing one piece one grade level below that. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Tuba

My string bass teacher was Charles "Slats"Sladovnik who was a carpenter by trade and played in the Great Neck symphony orchestra, and what we called club dates in that era. I was busy practicing and playing jobs. I normally didn't use the word gig as I felt it didn't give the total respect to all musical work. In my case I soon learned that practice was taking one task at a time and trying to perfect it. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion

I have a unique resume as a music educator. I have taught band on the high school and collegiate levels as well served as a Guest Clinician and Conductor at various High School and College Band Camps around the Southeastern United States. I feel my experience as a Assistant Band Director has helped to develop my unique approach to band as demonstrated in my philosophy. As a Head Band Director I have demonstrated the ability to movtivate my students to strive for the best they can be with great success. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

I'm a diverse and enthusiastic musician, dedicated to teaching, and convinced by the power of music to enrich peoples lives in every way. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance, and obtained Masters of Music degrees in both Trumpet Performance and Orchestral Conducting from Central Michigan University. I have performed with the Midland Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, the Round Top Festival Orchestra, and the Pierre Monteux Festival Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have taught dozens of piano and voice students of a wide array of ages and abilities all over the DMV for the past three years. Some of my favorite teaching moments have been to see my students achieve their goals, and I help students accomplish them by encouraging a regular practice schedule as well as to have patience. In college and graduate school, I took courses in vocal pedagogy, choral conducting, acting and stage direction in both the opera and musical theater departments, as well as music theory, history, ear training, and diction classes for French, German, Italian, and English. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet French Horn Music

Classical Students: We will Start with basics: Breathing Posture/Playing Position Long tones, Articulation Scales Music theory Then progress into more advanced topics: Musicality tone phrasing advanced music thory composition and arranging Then solo, band and orchestra literature will be introduced Elementary Intermediate: Usually standards Advanced: More contemporary music Jazz and other styles: All beginning methods will be the same as Classical students with Jazz methodology adopted: Scales: Blues, Dorian, bebop etc. Read More