Music Lessons in Portsmouth, VA

Instruments: Voice

I am a recent graduate of James Madison University (JMU) with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education. Throughout my degree, I participated in many performance opportunities. I have sung in the Opera Scenes program at JMU and a student production of Iolanthe. I spent a month this summer in Sulmona Italy at the Center of Opera Studies in Italy performing in Suor Angelica, Elixir of Love and Don Giovanni. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been playing saxophone for almost 30 years. I started in the 5th grade and instantly fell in love with the sax. In the seventh grade, I found a new love, the violin. After only a year of playing, I obtained the status of concert master. I continued both through high school and in the ninth grade I added the bassoon to my list of insturments. I graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006, majoring in both the saxophone and bassoon. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I strive to provide effective tools for children and adults of all ages that reinforce vocal training, confidence, precision, and vocal hygiene. The last decade of experience gives me a solid foundation to ascertain the temperament and learning style of students and create a specialized and integrative lesson plan for them to utilize in order to enhance their gifts. My personal style is an authoritative one, not authoritarian or passive, wherein I connect with my students with positive reinforcement. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My love for piano teaching began my senior year of high school, 7 years ago. I enjoy teaching out of my home studio, for I believe it provides a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for my students. During lessons, I emphasize consistent weekly practice times, music genre variety, theory, improvisation and parent involvement in the lesson plans. Recitals have proven to be very helpful in building the students confidence and awareness of their personal and musical improvement. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has a solid foundation on fundamentals, I begin to increase the rigor of the work. Each student is different, so I try to personalize their lessons. I like for every student to have at least one solo piece to be working on. I always encourage the student to work towards a recital or even a simple solo performance in their own home. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I began teaching private lessons about two and a half years ago, in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. I had students there that ranged in age from five to fifty, and it was such a joy to watch them grow! I am comfortable teaching students of all levels and ages, no one is ever too young or too old to learn an instrument in my opinion. It is very important to me to have parents involved in the learning process, whether that be through observation of lessons or helping out with practice throughout the week. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your student progress and diacover a love for music. I am unconventional in my teaching methods as that I don't follow a certain teaching outline. Every student has their own pace, and its important for me to let a student take as long as they need to learn without being rushed. And by acknowledging their accomplishments, they become eager to learn more, and have more fun playing music, as that is the whole point of music right? Read More