Music Lessons in Wallaceton, VA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

In high school I was fortunate to work with some local jazz musicians. One was a famous jazz guitarist named Lenny Breau. We had an artist in residence program with composer/ drummer Steve Grover and he was a big influence on me along with Dick Demers. I have performed in symphonies. I have done many Broadway musicals playing in the pit. I have played in many bands. Before I moved to Virginia I was living in Maine and playing in 5 bands. 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 Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As the kid who always had a knack for useless facts, and an insatiable sponge for a brain needing to know how and why the world works- I have always been someone to share a little know how, and I know how to instill these things in an exciting way- whether it be a subject I've spent years filling my head with almost useless facts about things like the weird world of quantum physics, or my silly excitement in important, yet otherwise useless facts that might make ya think. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For beginning students I usually encourage a method book such as Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method or a Fingerstyle method book. At the same time I introduce basic chords and try to introduce songs as early as possible to show the practicality of all that is being learned. For intermediate students I ask what would like to be learned and what techniques they would like to see themselves doing in the near future. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Recorder Euphonium

With all of my students I am kind, patient, gentle, humorous, encouraging, and positive with my feedback. Students regularly give feedback on the music they are making, as well as any new ways they think I might be helpful to them. I use Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory to help inform me of the students learning style. My goal is to nurture each students musical process. I support whatever pace students choose to employ, and tailor my instruction to their needs and wants. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

I create a lot of my teaching material my self, and I developed at Indiana University a reading method that emphasizes the similarities between the clefs and allows the student to have a global view of the staff. My lessons are very energetic and fast paced, I normally prefer if parents are present in lesson taking notes, and when possible, I even teach the parents before I teach the students, so we have a consistent learning environment at home as well. Read More