Piano Lessons in Gaither, MD

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

When I start with beginner students I don't go to their books right away. I like to sit with my students and have them learn about the parts of the instrument as well as getting to know their instrument. We first learn about embouchure and just get a sound out on their mouth piece. Later on Iuse Neil A. Kjos Music Company Standard of Excellence Books. I really enjoy using these books with beginners because it gets them started on simple notes and rhythm patterns. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I have been teaching music for about five years now. As soon as I started teaching myself music theory concepts and sharing them with my friends, I knew that teaching was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life! Music means a lot to me as I'm sure it does to you. I love being able to time travel through different emotions and sounds, and the guitar has allowed me to do that! Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I am all about the individualized approach! Whether the student is looking at their instrument for the very first time or they are a seasoned veteran performer looking to freshen their approach or hone one specific side of their craft, I'm here and thrilled to help. Everyone learns differently; I recognize some kids and adults alike find the idea of staring into a book and practicing rudiments or études for hours a day either intimidating, boring, or both. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching career officially began back in 2007, when I was hired to work at a small, family-run music school in Laurel, Maryland. It was in this test lab that I began to formulate an approach to learning piano quite different from the more traditional ways the instrument was commonly taught. I found that, by giving students a more solid foundation, they were able to be more self-sufficient and independent, allowing them to progress further than they would have otherwise. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). 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