Music Lessons in Kensington, MD

Instruments: Piano Trombone

Trombone: Practice, practice, practice! The trombone is an extremely unforgiving instrument and this is why the words practice need to be repeated many times every lesson. The student needs to understand that in order to get any enjoyment out of playing the trombone they need to practice regularly. Once the student has a regular practice schedule, then their sound will improve and they will enjoy playing. There can be almost no progress at all until the student finds regular practice time to work on their trombone exercises. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I use Bastien Piano Basics for young and older beginners, as well as supplemental books from Alfred Piano and Hal Leonard. For intermediate students, we begin building a repertoire together of pieces the student enjoys and plays well. I try to find a nice balance between classical, traditional, and popular music. For voice I use the Little Singers series for kids and supplemental books of songs from Hal Leonard. These songs include Disney favorites and other classic songs such as "Puff, the Magic Dragon". Read More

Instruments: Violin

Unless requested otherwise, I primarily work with the Suzuki Method. For those unfamiliar, this is a methodology formulated on the belief that all children are capable of learning the violin at any age and skill level. This method works with play learning, ear training, and instilling a musicality from a young age. I augment these Suzuki books with other exercises, depending on the skill level of the student. This includes Galamian scales and other etudes for them to build strong foundations. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have also performed the bass solo in Verdi’s Requiem. I am also a devoted lieder singer having performed Schubert’s Winterreise, Schumann’s Dichterliebe and Brahms’ Vier ernste Gesänge. My research interests include the application of motor learning strategies to the singing voice studio and vocal tract acoustics. My doctoral dissertation is entitled "The Application of Motor Learning Feedback in the Singing Voice Studio." https://ycp.academia.edu/ColinJohnson In addition to my doctorate, I earned a Master of Music in voice pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory and Bachelor of Music in voice performance from the University of Iowa. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Tuba

This gift, is the gift of humor, and humility, so we can as a team move ahead and not bruise their self esteem. If the student has access to a keyboard, this will also help them move ahead as the keyboard has the full range of notes available to all instruments. Using the keyboard and and manuscript paper (music paper), I can explain and clear up things such as reading rhythms, constructing scales, and learning improvisation on the chosen instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

There has been a lot that I have learned over my musical journey thus far. Teaching has been a fulfilling way to do share that! Building consistent processes for learning and practicing have proven very useful for students and myself alike. I make it a priority to structure lessons around every individual's musical goals and interests. Students will learn methods for their own artistic expression. Some facilitations of this could be songwriting, learning favorite songs, expanding knowledge of music theory, performance skills and much more! Read More