Music Lessons in Ellicott City, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

For Piano I teach from the Faber Faber series. I used Primer and level 1 one for children and a level 1 version for late teens and adults. For Guitar/Bass I use Hal Leonard Guitar Method Series. For all my students I determine what they are interested in learning and we focus on that music while still practicing the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Ukulele

With a beginner student, I start with the basics. We learn how to properly hold the instrument and how to tune the strings. From there, the students will learn the fundamentals of finger placement and basic strumming. Once the student feels comfortable, we start to learn different chords and scales. At this point, students will begin learning songs with basic chords. Once we get past this stage the lessons become more tailored to the individual student and we begin to learn and play music that the student is interested in. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I began teaching private lessons 9 yeras ago when some neighborhood friends encouraged me to share my love of music through teaching. Encouraging regular, consistent practice and keeping a journal of areas of focus during practice is one of the techniques I encourage for students of all ages to progress and grow in their enjoyment of the instrument. I love encouraging students to compose their own material, and to share their music in competitions and recitals, as a way to develop their passion for music and to stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I work to foster a love of music and a desire to excel in each of my students. I want them to practice because they love it and want to succeed! I also feel that it is important to be a well rounded musician, so we will focus on theory, sight reading, composition, musicianship, performance-practice, and other important and fun aspects of music. I believe that it is important to be grounded in a classical foundation (for both piano and voice students), but I also make sure to bring in pieces of the student's favorite style- which I find helps motivate them to practice and enjoy lessons even more. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have taught music for 8 years and have taught ages 4-70.  In my experience, patience and flexibility is the key as everyone learns at different paces and in different ways.  I do my best to listen to the student and teach to their comfort level and have recieved very good reviews for it.  The best feeling for me as a teacher is to see at the end of a lesson that the child is not only smiling, but objectively better at their instrument than when they arrived. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I like to let the student chose some pieces that they like or are interested in playing. I will play the piece for the student so that they know what it sounds like. I go through as book like "Solo Guitar Playing" by Frederick Noad with the student. After they achieve some proficiency on the instrument, I will allow them to pick other pieces from their guitar books or I will suggest pieces that they might like and wish to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For all of my students, both children and adults, I incorporate theory, technique, ear training, and musicality into the lessons. It's very important to me that all aspects of music be learned in an ongoing and cohesive way. I firmly believe that a strong understanding of these different elements will inform every other aspect, and make for a more grounded and satisfied student. For adults, lesson plans vary quite a bit, depending on the level of the adult and their interests. Read More