Music Lessons in Gibson Island, MD

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

My master's degree in trumpet performance at the University of Denver included a teaching assistantship: I taught trumpet lessons, coached brass quintets, trumpet ensembles, and more. I had a private studio in Denver and again in Cleveland, where I was before relocating to DC. In Cleveland I taught full-time and ended up with over fifty private students. My students there received such honors as entrance into the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Symphonies. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

My teaching philosophy encourages exploration of music with a focus on the uniqueness of each individual student and their particular aspirations, typically emphasizing reading classical music and improvising solos for Jazz or other more contemporary styles while having fun growing as a musician! I try to make sure lessons are fun and rewarding by adapting my teaching style to focus on the student's learning style and interests. For jazz students I encourage a lot of back and forth play-a-long between myself and the student or between the student and a play-a-long track. Read More

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: Bass Guitar Double Bass Tuba

One of the mistakes that new teachers can have is they worry about keeping the students interest. This is a disservice to the student. Students "are smart people". They can pick up on whether you love teaching or if you are only doing this for some financial reward. The music student is very lucky as these skills they learn even at the most rudimentary level will last them a lifetime. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

My lessons are very structured in style and format. Scales, exercises and method books will be the basis of every lesson. With intermittent lessons on musical theory along the way, the student will begin their technical foundation. Regardless of whatever genre of music the student's interests may lie, I provide the technical instruction to make it possible. As time goes on, I then allow students to pick their own music for us to work in class. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a passionate music educator who has taught piano at all ages and levels. I am currently an elementary school general music educator, and have instructed music history courses on the university level. I am an active performer as well, so am able to bring authentic experience to my students that helps them to reach their maximum musical potential! I am an avid advocate for arts education, and believe that students of all ages and levels of experience benefit from exposure to the creative arts. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe the single most important part of a musician's work begins in the ear. Building a foundation in aural training, and understanding what you're hearing, will allow any student to then approach an instrument with clarity and patience. For most students at beginning or intermediate levels, I'll use a dual-curriculum approach to develop ear training/theory understanding alongside technical skill and practical ability. I create my own lesson plans with each student's needs in mind, in order to help them follow their personal path to musical success. Read More