Music Lessons in Paris, VA

Instruments: Voice

I have a deep enthusiasm and excitement for helping young people reach their musical goals. I enjoy helping my students develop knowledge of the vocal apparatus and mechanics of singing and breathing. In the studio I can find examples of or demonstrate vocal techniques and styles. I have found that most students respond well to the use of imagery to extract the emotional component of singing and I find that my flexibility, energy, ability to maintain focus on objectives, and my ability to communicate musical concepts and instructions clearly is essential to getting my students to produce better sounds. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo Latin Percussion

My beginnings as a teacher go back to my undergrad in Puerto Rico where I would teach in a music academy with students from ages 10-17. As my academic life expanded I moved to Florida where I was the Teacher Assistant for my Masters degree for 2 years. There I taught college level students from all ages in classical music. In my Doctorate I also had the opportunity to be Teacher assistant for 2 years for Master students and undergrad where my focus was jazz, blues, pop and all sorts of commercial music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I customize the curriculum and repertory for each of my students based on their personal goals, which we will discuss in the first lessons. Do you want to play for yourself or to perform publicly? What kinds of repertory appeal to you and how much time do you have to practice? From there we will create a plan that best meets these goals. For beginners, this will include a method book (I often use Faber Piano Adventures for young beginners and Alfred Adult-In-One methods) to get you started. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I think it is important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I try to set goals for my students which match with the student's learning pace at each lesson. Additionally, by trying to find out what inspires the student, I can tailor my instruction to their wants and needs successfully. One way I try to find out what inspires the student by asking what pieces interest them. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

My teaching style really depends on the student! Some want to learn for fun, others are studying for exams or college. As a result its really important for me to tailor my lessons towards each student and what they would like to work on. For some that could mean working on vocal technique, others working on music and repertoire. Im adept at adapting to each students individual talents and vocal needs and therefore its important that for that each student progresses at a pace that they are comfortable with. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola

I choose to work step by step. Not to force them or pressure them on anything. As I mentioned above, having this balance between having fun, enyoing and learning how to be responsible and dedicated, is healthy and efficient! Important is to understand that to learn an instrument, you also need to practice, at least 30 min per day and not just only wanting to have the lesson, because the progress will be very minimal and slow, and the learning process will become very boring. Read More

Instruments: Violin Fiddle

When teaching fiddle I teach students starting on simple tunes that we learn by ear and memorize. With a few standard well known tunes down I use those to demonstrate more of the nuances of fiddle performance. The process of learning fiddle is a simultaneous process of learning how to pick up tunes quickly by ear and play them idiomatically so there is not much in the way of text that I use in the actual lessons however I will recommend readings depending on how much the student is interested in that, otherwise we mostly have a fun time playing fiddle Music Theory I teach using the standard AP music theory text and the Kostka Tonal harmony book or other textbooks that the student is using from their classes. Read More