Music Lessons in Dentsville, MD

Instruments: Violin Viola

Having started playing violin at the age of 5, sharing my love of music has been an enormous part of my life. I originally come from Serbia, where I obtained my BM in Violin Performance at The University of Belgrade.  I continued my graduate studies in Toronto, Canada, where I finished an Artist Diploma program at The Royal Conservatory of Music.  In 2013 I graduated in Masters of Music at The Catholic University of America, in Washington DC. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never want to pressure or overwhelm a student with too much information or expectation, because instead of the instruction being seen as a challenge, it is interpreted as an unenjoyable command, and that discourages the student from practicing to meet their goals, instead of motivating and inspiring them. What I find works best is relating lessons to popular current music, further exploring the bridge of dynamics that make up the songs that the student enjoys. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Oboe

In addition to working with Musika, I also act as a classroom aide for after-school music programs for several schools in the DC Metro Area. I am often not the only teacher in the classroom, which means that I can give each student the attention that they deserve. In large group classes, it is easy for a child to feel left out, but I feel that it is important to give them as much individual attention as I can offer, especially when a student is excited about something that they have learned and are eager to show me what they can do. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Mark Deffenbaugh is an innovative, and provocative Jazz Artist and Educator. As a keyboardist, composer, and producer he has turned the heads of many of the most talented and famous personalities in Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B. Mark started his career early, playing gigs, in the Washington D.C. area, starting at the age of sixteen. Within a few short years he had numerous live and television performances to his credit. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I love watching my students develop a passion for music! I encourage students to practice regularly and to persevere toward specific goals. It is my philosophy that taking lessons alone will not develop the musicians skills, but through consistent practice, perseverance, and patience, a student will be able to see real progress and eventually achieve their goals. No dream is achieved overnight! Some of my favorite moments during my four years of teaching thus far have been seeing my students achieve their goals, whether they are landing the lead role in a musical, being accepted into the top choir at their school, receiving high marks at contests, or something as simple as performing in their first recital, having a break-through moment with a new technique during lessons, or memorizing their first foreign-language piece. Read More

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

My teaching style is casual, friendly and positive. Eveyone progresses at a different pace, so I set realistic goals and use different approaches based on the various learning styles -- visual, tactile and auditory -- that work best for each individual. I play along with you in unison, in accompaniment and in duets, starting with the very beginning lessons. I want even the simple things to sound good when you play them because that is what motivates you to keep learning more and more. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I don't believe in just one way, each student is different! For beginners, often the struggle is getting a good sound out of the flute and learning fingering and how to read music all at the same time. I like to take it step-by-step with reasonable goals. As students progress, we start to incorporate more and more into the repertoire while focusing on fundamentals and sound. But, I like to keep it fun along the way by playing along with my students, bringing in duet music and listening to the greats like Galway. Read More