Piano Lessons in Chewsville, DC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For students just starting out the focus is always on the fundamentals. Hal Leonard has some great Essential Elements books. When students show progress with these types of instruction manuals we'll usually jump to specific pieces of music that focus on the elements that we learned about in our method books. Lessons are tailored to the student and his or her needs and goals. All students aren't shooting to play at Carnegie Hall or tour the World. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

For my young beginning piano students, I apply the Piano Adventures Method by Nancy and Randall Faber. For my older beginning piano students (13/14 and up), I apply the Alfred Adult Piano Method to ensure the material meets the student at his/her academic level. As for all woodwind students, I apply the Reubank Methody (Beginning, Intermediate, Advance), alongside Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for students currently in a school band. Once each student has reached a satisfactory level of performance, solo repertoire is then introduced. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet Recorder Music

For those who are beginning on their horns, I will be using the Essential Elements book. Within this books starts off with the basic whole notes and half notes than moves to quarter notes. Every other page adds a new note to their repertoire. For those who have been on their horns, I will be using the 2nd/3rd Essential Elements book. Those who have no trouble with those books, I will be introducing them to solo works and adding some theory in there for they can understand the basics of music and what comes with it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I adjust my teaching based on each student's abilities to maintain a relaxed, fun, and engaging atmosphere.For younger students, I typically start with Music for Little Mozarts, which includes a variety of activities in addition to the exploration of music. For older or more intermediate students, I recommend Faber Faber's Piano Adventures, which incorporates not only interesting musical selections, but also introduces music theory and analysis. For advanced students, I prefer to piece together selected repertoires based on music relevant to their interests; this typically includes a selection of classical and contemporary compositions with some discussion of the pieces' context within a greater scope of music history and theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I want to carry on my passion for music onto other students. I often try to acknowledge how well a student is doing whether they are pacing fast or slow. No matter where and how a student gets stuck, I always will try to work out difficulties and obstacles by working closely alongside them and encouraging them. I also have a system for students where they will earn a star if they reach a certain goal, so that they will feel like the accomplished musicians they will become. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style has been described as one that rewards hard work and dedication, but leaves room for experimentation and fun. I believe that each student has unique gifts to offer the world, and it is my job to uncover them through a combination of connecting to the individual as a person and allowing their personality and aptitude to shine. My goal is always to inspire my students to want to learn, instead of fostering an environment where they feel forced into it. Read More