Piano Lessons in Dayton, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

Hello! My name is Donovan, and I am an instructor who specializes in ear training and technique. Originally being a self-taught musician, I began with piano and harmonica, then eventually branched out to guitar, bass, banjo, among several others. I have ran sound equipment from an early age as well, learning how to set rigs for full bands and how to mix and master tracks for recording purposes. I have met and played with many famous and unfamous musicians, and find that the highest amount of talent is undiscovered and uncultivated. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a dedicated educator that believes in my student's achievement. During my graduate studies I had the opportunity to educate myself in various styles of teaching. Today, I use traditional music education tools with my students with elements of the Russian conservatory style of learning that developed fine pianists like Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Student's in my studio can perform at entry level up to college skill. I am able to teach students who are advanced and interested in taking piano to new heights. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

The most satisfying moment as a teacher is when a student finally "gets it", and for students, I find that lessons are the most fun when the student feels capable and not overwhelmed. I like to challenge my students and encourage them to exceed even their own expectations of their abilities. With this in mind, my overall teaching philosophy emphasizes gaining technical mastery over the student's chosen instrument, strong music reading and theory skills, along with creativity and improvisation to turn them into well rounded players who can hold their own in just about any music setting from the stage to the studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

At the beginning, I have my class for around 30 ~ 45 mins to introduce the music theory and the instrument to be play. For beginners students, I usually start with combination of James Bastien method and Alfred's Basic for theory session, then based on the instrument choose by the student I complement the class with other book used to play /practice the instrument. For adult students, I try to find what the student is interested in, and provide my lessons accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

My teaching experience dates back to my college days,more than FORTY FIVE years,including THIRTY  plus years of teaching in the USA.I worked at several music schools and have also given private lessons in Queens. New York and Providence, Rhode Island.I have found that  a combination of classical and modern music can go hand in hand in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice,gaining passion for the instrument.My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Oboe Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start with basics: learning how to hold the instrument, put it together, etc. Then when that is solid we learn a few notes. From there we go to the Rubank books. At the same time, we start reading music that I find appropriate for them. For adults, it depends on what they want to learn. Popular songs or songs they request. But I also push for technical mastery of the instrument so I push for knowledge of scales and then keep pushing with more challenging/fun pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I find each student's possibility. Some are good at reading music, but other are good at listening. Some have creativity to compose music and other are good at understanding what composers idea and perform music beautifully. Therefore I take different approach to each student. I discuss about their goal and set the goal with together with students. I explain what is the best way to achieve the goal. I instruct them clearly step by step and let them know what they have to do every day. Read More