Music Lessons in Durham, NC

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Ukulele

I start with the end in mind. Once your student has established clear, realistic goals with me, all the focus is on reaching those goals. It is also made clear that it is the student's responsibility to come into each lesson showing clear evidence that they've practiced the music. I'm stern about this. If the student hasn't put in the time, I will send the student home mid-lesson and they lose that lesson. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In light of this, I will provide additional practice materials that are specific to the instrument each student plays or sings. For more advanced students, virtually all material will come from me, with the exception of students who request help with particularly difficult passages in their other repertoire. Regardless of experience, I believe all students should have a solid foundation of fundamental technique and music theory, and the materials I provide will aim to develope those skills. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Guitar For Kids. For teenage and adult students I use Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Complete Edition. For classical guitar students I use Aaron Shearer's Learning the Classic Guitar Volume 2. After a student has a grasp over basic technique, chords, and reading I like to split the lesson between book work (note reading) and teaching students to play songs that they enjoy. Read More

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

I teach harmony, rhythm, technique, melody, and basic sight reading by a two fold approach. First is to really feel into the music. This means learning to listen deeply with curiosity, intention, respect, and joy bringing the meaning of play into every aspect of learning. The second part is to begin with the basics of music theory by grounding fully into the fundamentals. Learning to work in forms that may seem like an alien language at first but when systematically approached with patience, dedication, and a spirit of playfulness and fun will open up and begin to reveal paths into learning and understanding that will greatly increase ones ability to engage in all musical forms. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele

During my years of teaching in East Lansing Michigan my band programs continually earned first and second division ratings at festivals. We took trips to Chicago every other year to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and to do a workshop at Northwestern University and my students received first and second division ratings at Solo and Ensemble both at the district and state levels. I was a judge for solo and ensemble and band festivals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Electric Guitar

My experience takes me straight out of high school. I have been a drum tech at West Johnston High School since Fall of 2015. Since then I've risen in the ranks and have taken a much bigger role. In between all of that, I've all taught at Wake Christian Academy as Percussion director for about a year. I've given a couple of students from that school private lessons and I've encouraged all of them to become better and more educated in the marching arts! Read More