Music Lessons in Southside, NC

Instruments: Drums

As a foundation, I start my beginner-level students with basic the basic understanding of rhythm patterns, dynamic control, and basic limb independence. I use Benny Greb's "The Language of Drumming" as it has proven to be a fun and effective learning tool for well over a decade. From there it's really dependent on the student and their learning style/pace. I try to never create a particular "method" that doesn't allow for the student's uniqueness to be taken into consideration. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

The more familiar the student is with the instrument the easier it is for them to be more confident in their performance. I encourage my students to perform in recitals and to compete as well as be apart of a band program as well. It is a great way to make wonderful friends. To this day I have made my best friends from being in band from a young age that I keep in close touch with to this day. Read More

Instruments: Drums

27 years of professional playing experience both playing live from Chicago to the East Coast. I have also done a lot of studio work and have one now that I work with on a regular basis doing demos and other clients projects. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

My teaching experience dates back to my freshman year of college in 2013. I began teaching snare drum and drum set to one private student. As time went on through my undergraduate studies, I had a studio of twenty lessons students. Coupled with private lessons, I gained experience teaching high school percussion ensembles and I was a percussion instructor for marching bands. In my graduate studies, I had the amazing opportunity to teach collegiate level percussion ensembles and private lessons. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I work out of various Drum Set method books, which at first I give page copies for students. Once students are acclimated to how lessons work (and sure they want to continue) I encourage them to purchase the book(s) we are working out of. I try to work out of books for reading, but most other learning I like to take on personally. Books are great for learning and seeing new material, but they don't do much for a performance, writing parts or learning songs. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In light of this, I will provide additional practice materials that are specific to the instrument each student plays or sings. For more advanced students, virtually all material will come from me, with the exception of students who request help with particularly difficult passages in their other repertoire. Regardless of experience, I believe all students should have a solid foundation of fundamental technique and music theory, and the materials I provide will aim to develope those skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Synthesizer Electric Violin Fiddle

I love to ask questions about the student's thought process, and you will commonly see me "break down" technique into smaller, more digestable pieces. I will also take the time to discuss the musical setting of the piece to give the performance more context. For example, did you know that Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 21 in e minor was written around the time his mother passed, and is the only instrumental piece he wrote that rests in e minor? Read More