Music Lessons in Lignum, VA

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: Flute

I have been playing the flute for 30 years! Back in school, I performed and competed actively. I love to play and love to teach. In another life, I would be a professional musician, but for now, I play in my spare time and try to encourage others by teaching. I know the feeling of performing and helping others feel emotion with music. I also know how great it feels to master a difficult piece of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Learning to play an instrument is an endeavor that does not always yield immediate results. I like to encourage my students to look back on all they have accomplished and to set goals so that they are motivated to keep moving forward. Positive reinforcement and figuring out what gets the student excited are keys to their success. It can be a particular song, activity, or even just a set routine that can make a student really open up and be willing to learn all that they can get their hands on. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Work on picking and speed and most importantly touch and feel. Learn to play in rhythm, with a metronome. Work on Finger picking as well, learn to use all 5 fingers on your right hand. or use the pick and 3 fingers, with me you WILL use your pinky or little finger, on both hands. Learn to read song charts, and notation and tab. Learn to work on speed, strength, stamina, play songs you like all the way from beginning to end. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I encourage small but daily practice. you don't have to play guitar for 4 hours a day to make good progress. Just 15 minutes every day will be sufficient especially when you first start out. It is deeply satisfying when i see a student grasp a concept that they worked so hard on. set realistic goals and don't try to overwhelm yourself by trying to play extremely difficult music in a short amount of time. basics is key if you know the basics you can do the harder things and with ease. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have taught dozens of piano and voice students of a wide array of ages and abilities all over the DMV for the past three years. Some of my favorite teaching moments have been to see my students achieve their goals, and I help students accomplish them by encouraging a regular practice schedule as well as to have patience. In college and graduate school, I took courses in vocal pedagogy, choral conducting, acting and stage direction in both the opera and musical theater departments, as well as music theory, history, ear training, and diction classes for French, German, Italian, and English. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For students of all ages I focus on fundamentals by using, The Remington and Arbans books, but for beginners Hal Leonard's Essential Elements is a great start. The fundamentals are never mastered, and the Arbans and Remington methods, are time tested and proven methods for improving on Trombone. I also use the Arnold Jacob's method of Song and Wind. I also think it is important to let students choose their own issues to work on. Read More