Music Lessons in Pleasant Garden, NC

Instruments: Drums

My philosophy is that everyone benefits from music instruction, especially percussion. No matter whether one's goal is to be a professional musician, or one simply wants to try something new, almost everyone enjoys the act of music-making! Having said that, every individual is unique, and I work with each person to determine what works best for his or her desires and abilities. While one student may dive right into rudiments and reading, another may benefit best from relaxed, organic, and gradual activities that lead to a greater comfort with the learning experience. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Guitar For Kids. For teenage and adult students I use Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Complete Edition. For classical guitar students I use Aaron Shearer's Learning the Classic Guitar Volume 2. After a student has a grasp over basic technique, chords, and reading I like to split the lesson between book work (note reading) and teaching students to play songs that they enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching experience includes serving as a middle school band director, high school band director, middle school choir director, high school choir director, elementary school general music and choir teacher, and elementary school clarinet teacher. The youngest student I've ever taught was six years old, and I'm happy to work with children, adolescents, and adults. During undergrad in college, I also worked the music theory tutoring lab giving theory lessons to college students, so if a high school student is studying music theory, I would be able to assist with that as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music has held a major position in my life since I was very young. I began composing music before I was in school. I began taking piano lessons when I was four years old. I studied voice and was trained by professional choir director Bill Graham for several years. I played trumpet in middle school and was first chair. I toured nationally with the NC boys choir. I picked up guitar at age fourteen and began teaching myself. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Ive been performing violin for almost 20 years, teaching for 15 years, and running my violin studio here in NC for the last 6 months. I currently teach for Kidsnotes in Durham, as well as running my own music studio, and I am able to teach children of any age. My specialty lies in identifying the needs of every student, and providing them with the tools, performances, and motivation they need to achieve greater heights! Read More

Instruments: Drums

I like to start out with extremely simple fundamentals which can then be seen in most every piece of music. Connections like that are important for any student. For younger students I heavily emphasize just having fun, and that every lesson they can go home and say 'look mom/dad at what I can do!' I believe that keeping students interested and focused on having fun while learning new material and techniques is the best strategy to ensure growth as a musician. Read More