Music Lessons in Glenwood, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Michael's approach to voice training is grounded in physiological and developmentally appropriate techniques. While this does not necessarily preclude any particular style of music, he believes very strongly that vocal health and well-being should take precedence in one's study of singing and that it is good for students to gain a diverse musical experience. 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 Trumpet Flute Clarinet Double Bass

Beginner Piano - I typically start out with Faber's Piano Adventures Series. Once they have grasped the reading of music, scales, and arpeggios I start branching out into a fundamental book such as Finger Power and we start working on songs that they find fun and interesting. Once we get into the grove I start teaching more in depth theory. Beginner Band/Orchestra - I typically start out with the method book that is used in your school district. Read More

Instruments: Piano

If there's anything I've learned over the years as a piano teacher, it's that every student develops and progresses at his or her own pace. My job, if doing it well, is to work with them, at THEIR pace, while at the same time, encouraging and pushing them forward. Just as some baseball managers are regarded as a player's manager, I like to consider myself a student's coach. That is, a teacher who is in the student's corner, supporting them, encouraging them, believing in them, no matter how much they may struggle, or how many bumps in the road they may face along their musical journeys. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For first time students, I immediately begin focusing on the aspect of breath related to the voice. I achieve this by utilizing exercises such as Lip Trills, Tongue rolling, and belly laughs. The is a fun, interesting, and above all effective way to show the student what muscles are working and where. From there, I begin to build upon warmups starting from the simple (e.g. 3-5 note scales) eventually leading to more difficult (e.g. octave runs with triplet passages). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

While I am a classically trained musician, I believe that a student will best learn when presented with material that they are passionate about. A student's curiosity will drive learning far more than any other source, so any directions I can help foster in a student, I will take that opportunity. If students are struggling, I have a wealth of resources and materials of my own which I can offer for new routes of study, or lesson plans to stimulate learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My methods and approach to teaching a student all depend on the student (or group of students). I like to find out what attracts my students to music, and more specifically, why they want to learn to play piano. By investigating the motives of my students, I can better tailor a lesson that delivers both what they want to learn and what they need to learn. Once the goals are known, we begin to build a foundation of technical and creative exercises to increase skill and comprehension within the realm of playing piano. Read More