Music Lessons in Reva, VA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I find the process of exploring music and finding solutions together with my students to be intensely uplifting and meaningful, since, as mentioned earlier, each musical soul is unique. While I set clear standards of excellence, I am also patient with all levels and abilities. Indeed, teaching beginners (including adults) is a special passion of mine. A typical lesson will include warm-ups, scales, arpeggios and etudes, followed by detailed work on repertory pieces. Read More

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: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more enjoyable than seeing a music student climb the learning curve and self recognize and appreciate their progress other than, perhaps watching their passion grow over the long term as they successfully step into the performance phase and play a well practiced piece for their friends, family, peers, or others. Each student's lesson selection plan is always a collaborative agreement between the instructor and learner as well as the practice plan in terms of both frequency and repetition pattern. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Drums Music

I have decided to base my teaching style around the great bagpiper Andrew Douglas. He has given bagpipers the world over a manuscript that can be applied across the board musically but Lazer focuses on the mastery of the pipe "Every day: listen to masterful bagpipe music, interact with bagpipers as good or better than you, and play at least one tune on full bagpipes. Most days: hone essential fundamentals, in this order of priority: Rhythmic Accuracy Scale Navigation Gracenote Quality Blowing Mechanics/Posture Tuning drones together Maintaining optimal blowing pressure. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

If a teenager would like to learn how to play pop chords, I start them with an appropriate book. If an adult wants to learn pieces to sing in church, I will offer my skills as a classical singer and professional church choir section leader to teach them how to sing beautiful melodies and passionate contemporary songs. For all my students, I am always on the lookout for new method books and resources that will aid their studies. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will introduce solo repertoire suited for his or her first recital performance. I introduce etudes to the students after the student demonstrates the ability to play several simple pieces well. For intermediate and advanced students, I typically do not let them play a piece at a certain grade level until they have finished playing one piece one grade level below that. Read More