Music Lessons in North Bethesda, MD

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I initially started teaching electric bass privately during my sophomore year at Goucher College. Since then, I have been teaching for three years. I taught at the Goucher Summer Arts Institute and have continued to participate as a seasonal camp counselor for their jazz camp. While I was studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark through Goucher College, I participated in a Danish music pedagogy program which thoroughly enhanced my love and knowledge of teaching music. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Mandy has several years experience in teaching voice and one year teaching harp. As a performer herself, she understands the needs of her students and adapts to their individual needs.Her personal philosophy regarding teaching is that one should use a healthy technique no matter what genre of music you perform. She encourages students to study music they are passionate about so they enjoy the process. If a student isn't enjoying the music, they won't enjoy the lessons. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

Lessons are challenging yet fun. As students improve their skills, I find they usually enjoy playing even more than when they started. I try to find ways to make scales and tone exercises more interesting so students are more likely to incorporate these things into their daily practice. It is also important to choose repertoire that is the right level of difficulty so students are not bored or frustrated. When a student is struggling with a new concept or a difficult technical challenge, I can offer them many different ways to identify and then practice the issue. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning elementary and middle school students I usually use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once my student has a working knowledge of the fundamentals, I introduce music that will build confidence and keep the student's interest. Although I am using a method book, it is just a guide. Along the way, I may supplement the book with other exercises to work on specific techniques. For adults, I first assess my student's skill level, and we talk about goals and a realistic practice schedule. Read More

Instruments: Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Music

I have been playing clarinet for 19 years. I have been teaching public school general music chorus-- now going into my sixth year. I've been teaching clarinet since high school when I first started out as a Tri-M music honor society mentor. I taught privately in college and I teach privately on the side. With my students I record what we've worked on each lesson and always send out a lesson plan and agenda out for the next week after each lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Double Bass Keyboard

Together we will create a custom lesson plan including things like scales, etudes, solos, excerpts, and covers. I like to direct students to play scales and etudes with drones that can be found online or from an app. and can offer many more helpful practice techniques. I can teach classical bass, piano, and cello, as well as pop/rock bass, piano, cello, or vocal performance. I also teach music composition, performing and arranging covers, and can coach any instrument for specific performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More