Music Lessons in Woodstock, MD

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I am a pianist, collaborative pianist, piano teacher, and vocal coach with over 20 years experience working with conservatories, universities, opera companies and music festivals. As a performer I have played solo, symphonic and chamber music repertory in the US and Europe. As I teacher, I have been on the Evening Division Faculty of The Juilliard School for the past nine years, where I teach a course in the preparation of art song and opera. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have been teaching for about 10 years, both privately and in schools. When I was at Indiana University, I tutored fellow music students who wanted to study piano, and I also began teaching privately. Since then, I have adjunct faculty at Seton Hall University, and I have taught privately. My students have ranged in age from 5 through adult, and I've taught all levels of experience. I've prepped students for auditions, entrance to music schools, college-level, and I've taught complete beginners. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students I try to start with the essentials. It is important for young children to become familiar with the instrument, the proper way to hold an instrument. The proper way to sit when playing or stand while singing. Fundamentals at the earliest ages are essential. Practicing the fundamentals leads to success which leads to a desire to learn more about the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I thoroughly enjoy seeing students progress, and the main ingredient in progression is practice! I try to make sessions memorable and keep the content engaging so that students can carry that with them throughout the week. I find if students aren't engaged in what the current task is, they will find it difficult to move forward and progress through their learning process. The main way I do this is by finding a tangible goal that a student can achieve week by week or month by month and having that be their motivation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Cello Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every lesson plan I make is customized to a student's interests, learning needs, and age. I combine a combination of technique focus and repertoire learning in each lesson. As students progress, their plans are updated to reflect their growth as a musician. I like to involve students directly in the goal planning process and keep them regularly updated about where they are on meeting their goals. Furthermore, teaching sustainable, healthy, and effective practice techniques is a core part of how I teach. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Tuba

One of the mistakes that new teachers can have is they worry about keeping the students interest. This is a disservice to the student. Students "are smart people". They can pick up on whether you love teaching or if you are only doing this for some financial reward. The music student is very lucky as these skills they learn even at the most rudimentary level will last them a lifetime. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In private lessons, I've helped budding guitarists learn how to shred like their personal rock heroes; taught the nuances of fingerpicking to folk and Americana players; guided growing musicians to develop a deeper understanding of chord theory and intervals; and worked with already-established career songwriters on phrasing, melody, chord changes, and that hard-to-pin-down je-ne-sais-quois that is simply how to make a song feel the way one hears in one's head. Read More