Music Lessons in Opal, VA

Instruments: Voice

I have recently relocated to the Charles Town WV area from Vermont. I have been teaching voice since 1989. I deeply enjoy helping students find their voice and developing their authentic style. My music background includes a great deal of performing in oratorios, choral and orchestral concerts, small vocal ensembles, musical theater, and cabarets. I am a frequent soloist at church on Sundays, as well as for funerals and weddings. I have been Director of Music for a number of large Catholic Churches, a high school choir director, and a voice teacher at the University level. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I like Ted Reed's book, "Syncopation", and Haskell Harr's book "Podemski'sSnare DrumMethod." But I may bewilling to work with a similar book you have already purchased. I'll spend more time on "rudimentaldrumming"for those who aspire to play in a marching situation, and less time on it for those only in a concert band setting. Read More

Instruments: Voice Flute

For young children (ages 4-10), I focus primarily on building a foundation in rhythm, pitch matching, and vocal warm ups (wolf howls, lip trills, tongue trills, etc.). I also encourage young children to bring in songs they enjoy singing, and use those songs to help build their understanding of musical structure. For slightly more experienced children (those who already can read music) I teach using the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) guidelines. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I've been playing piano since I was four years old and my biggest goals for my students are for them to become confident and excited about music, whether they want to join a band, accompany choirs, perform, or just play for fun. I have taught all ages and firmly believe in the lifelong benefits of music lessons. I have experience in several musical venues including accompaniment, solo performance, group performance, church service, and musical theater and play everything from 80's rock standards to classical pieces. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I have been lucky to study with renowned teachers at top music schools while traveling to music festivals around the world to play with interesting musicians in a great variety of cultures and styles. For me, the the experience of music has no boundries between concert halls, teaching studios, street corners, galleries, or artistic genres. I am eager to share with my students the wealth of possibilities of sound, art, and collaboration on the cello while providing a solid physical mastery of the instrument which enables beginning to advanced students the opportunity and flexibility to take their music to varied genres and major music schools. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I'm an ardent and compassionate instructor who enjoys sharing the gift of music with children and adults. Music enriches the communities in which we live and expands our capacity to connect with humanity. I studied privately with Philip J. Teibel of the Buffalo Philharmonic from childhood through High School. I toured the Southeast US with the Oberlin College Choir and Orchestra in college. Since graduation, I've had the opportunity to perform with numerous ensembles including: Soulful Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Strathmore Music Center in North Bethesda. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I had an opportunity to start teaching early as a student leader in my high school music program and continuing into college. I've found that my students have a much higher level of success when they are encouraged to practice regularly at home. I use classical repertoire to build techniques across styles and modern music to keep students engaged. If they aren't enjoying themselves, I'm not doing something correctly. I encourage students to enter recitals and competitions as well as create their own original material. Read More