Music Lessons in Sterling, VA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

My teaching style is a combination of what I have learned from others and what has worked for me! I find that my style at times can be demanding, but I am always fair to all my students. I want you to experience music and your own pace as that is how you best succeed! I am a big believer in fundamentals including scales, long tones, working with a metronome and tuner, etc. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo Music

I use a combination of methods tailored to a student's needs and goals. With very young students, I use play to focus on movement and musical thinking. With young students who are reading or starting to read, I usually use a combination of the Suzuki method and traditional French methods like Moyse, focusing on singing, memory, and tunefulness while allowing students to self-direct the learning of reading sheet music. With teen and adult beginners, I focus a bit more on literacy and rhythm while providing a combination of quickly learned progressive pieces and long-term projects. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For what I heard sounded interesting enough to give it a try. So I started to read about it and look for a teacher that specializes in this method. This was a game-changing for me and my voice. From that moment on I fell that my voice really "took off". I became very enthusiastic of this method and Ill explain to you a little about this method in "My Methods" Read More

Instruments: Guitar

With beginner students I like to start off learning to read music (it's not that hard!) I like to use the Mel Bay Method 1 book as a teaching tool. This book has two strong points, it explains the fundamentals of music very well and is easy to understand, while starting off playing songs right away. Once we have enough of the basics down then I start working on guitar techniques and learning songs that focus on those skills. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

Classes for beginners will focus on tone quality, articulation, rhythm, reading music, and playing in time. Students will learn breathing and fingering techniques as well as structured routines for practicing at home. Intermediate players will begin by mastering the 12 major scales and arpeggios in straight and swing patterns. Basic 12-bar blues structure will be introduced and students will learn to improvise using the blues and pentatonic scales. Students will begin to develop an appreciation for different styles of jazz through listening and ear training. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For students of all ages I focus on fundamentals by using, The Remington and Arbans books, but for beginners Hal Leonard's Essential Elements is a great start. The fundamentals are never mastered, and the Arbans and Remington methods, are time tested and proven methods for improving on Trombone. I also use the Arnold Jacob's method of Song and Wind. I also think it is important to let students choose their own issues to work on. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

I'm a diverse and enthusiastic musician, dedicated to teaching, and convinced by the power of music to enrich peoples lives in every way. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance, and obtained Masters of Music degrees in both Trumpet Performance and Orchestral Conducting from Central Michigan University. I have performed with the Midland Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, the Round Top Festival Orchestra, and the Pierre Monteux Festival Orchestra. Read More