Music Lessons in South Alexandria, DC

Instruments: Piano Organ Music Keyboard

I discovered my love for music at an early age. Though I started in the children’s choir at church, I began playing the piano by ear at the age of 9. Formal training is due to Morgan State University, which I am scheduled to graduate December 2019. My favorite thing about music is the power it holds and the ability to share experiences and emotions. Teaching the arts is amazing to me because it allows an opportunity to empower another to creatively share their story. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

Dan has an extensive library of etude books, solos, technical studies, jazz, and orchestral repertoire. He has made it his goal to be able to provide teaching material for students of any age and any skill level. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion

Vision & Goal: My primary goal is to continue developing and implementing methods and techniques that are useful in the area of music performance and education and assure that those who participate are assured a productive and rewarding experience. I am committed to finding recourses that will ultimately provide opportunities for my students to explore and discover their creative potential by way of teamwork, collaboration and individual freedom. Additionally, I want my students to use the skills they have learned to advance their ambitions for the future and careers. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For first time students, I immediately begin focusing on the aspect of breath related to the voice. I achieve this by utilizing exercises such as Lip Trills, Tongue rolling, and belly laughs. The is a fun, interesting, and above all effective way to show the student what muscles are working and where. From there, I begin to build upon warmups starting from the simple (e.g. 3-5 note scales) eventually leading to more difficult (e.g. octave runs with triplet passages). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I encourage small but daily practice. you don't have to play guitar for 4 hours a day to make good progress. Just 15 minutes every day will be sufficient especially when you first start out. It is deeply satisfying when i see a student grasp a concept that they worked so hard on. set realistic goals and don't try to overwhelm yourself by trying to play extremely difficult music in a short amount of time. basics is key if you know the basics you can do the harder things and with ease. Read More

Instruments: Violin

Unless requested otherwise, I primarily work with the Suzuki Method. For those unfamiliar, this is a methodology formulated on the belief that all children are capable of learning the violin at any age and skill level. This method works with play learning, ear training, and instilling a musicality from a young age. I augment these Suzuki books with other exercises, depending on the skill level of the student. This includes Galamian scales and other etudes for them to build strong foundations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard

That causes both sides of the brain to learn together. I do not rely heavily on exercises or drills, but prefer to find pieces that will musically teach the needed techniques. That being said, I do occasionally use portions of training etudes by Czerny, Isidor Philipp, and others as needed. However, I believe that technically problems and needs almost always have musical answers. Again, for percussion, I also focus on slow training, stick control, and rhythmic exercises. Read More