Music Lessons in Herndon, VA

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

My solo pianist experiences revolve around exploring (and occasionally premiering) the earliest, latest, and least known works of well-known composers. I have performed in ensemble with UMBCs New Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Collegium Musicum - also paid accompanist at UMBC. I have experience performing for professional recordings. I was part of an interactive concert in Baltimore and have had experience creating and delivering lesson plans to elementary school students. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

First I like to get a snap shot of the student's goals and sources of inspiration, once I figure that out I can tailor my instruction around their wants and needs. I see myself as an accountability partner with my students and so I help my students set goals for their progress, celebrate their successes, and evaluate the shortfalls. I encourage loved ones to be a supportive and active part of the process as that encouragement can fuel a student's desire to grow. Read More

Instruments: Drums

With beginner students of all ages, I start with the Elementary Drum Method Book by Roy Burns, Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method book by Carmine Appice, and the Drum Rudiment Dictionary by Jay Wanamaker. I am a fan of helping my students learn their favorite songs, and will take time to go over the songs, bar by bar. Once the first 3 books are mastered you will move up to intermediate drum techniques, and studies to assist in developing total limb independence. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For my vocal students, I start with vocal exercises every lesson and allow them learn to vocal techniques through different vocal exercises. Then I work with my students on the repertoire that they are interested in or repertoire that can help them practice their weak spots. For my piano students, I use many different series (Alfred's, Faber, or some classic repertoire) depending on their level and age. For all students, I will also include music theory when I teach because the students will have a stronger foundation with all of these components, which will enable them to learn better, faster and even by their own. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience dated back to my graduate-school days, when I began teaching private lessons to college-age students more than 20 years ago. I have been teaching since then to students from 3-year-old beginners to 75-year-old retirees. I founded my home studio, Joyful Keys Studio, in Gaithersburg, 13 years ago, and have been teaching consistently and passionately. Encouraging students to practice regularly and guiding students to find their musical inclinations and particular musical voices are my main teaching fortes. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo Latin Percussion

My career as a performing artist and educator has led me to travel around the globe gathering indispensable experiences that has helped me grow. I want to share these experiences with my students inspiring them to be a better version of themselves as a human being and as a musician. Coming from the warm Caribbean, I was exposed to all genres of music from pop, salsa, gospel, jazz, classical, etc. making me a fun, charismatic and versatile teacher. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Although I have been trained as a classical singer, I enjoy singing and teaching singing in a variety of genres. I believe the principals and foundation laid in classical training regarding things like breathing, placement and resonance can be transferred to any style of singing. Human beings have been singing since the dawn of their creation. Singing should be an easy, joyful thing. No lesson or teacher should ever take the joy out of the experience. Read More