Piano Lessons in Knoxville, MD

Instruments: Piano

Typically I start with Hal Leonard or Alfred's beginner books. Once the students grasp the fundamentals I add in theory, scales, and some fun stuff that they are interested as well. When the student is engaged and interested, they are more likely to continue and practice. It is not possible for every part to be fun and games, however, even the most fundamental learning can be engaging! If I find a particular pedagogy isn't working well for the student, we can change course and find something that works better for them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

As a soloist and chamber musician, I am regularly playing concerts around the world, in countries like Germany, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, Czech Republic, Russia, Lithuania and of course throughout the US. Being able to share my love for music as well as my knowledge and experience through teaching others means a lot to me and I am very passionate about it. I have two Master of Music Degrees in Violin performance - from The Moscow Conservatory in Russia and from The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I teach music at extracurricular programs in many elementary and pre schools across the Northern Virginia and Maryland area. I also teach piano and guitar in my home studio in Fairfax. I feel qualified to teach children, age 5-18, and to do so in a way that each child feels happy, special, and encouraged. I have gained many skills over the years and the most valuable skill I gained is how to make students love the instrument they play! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never want to pressure or overwhelm a student with too much information or expectation, because instead of the instruction being seen as a challenge, it is interpreted as an unenjoyable command, and that discourages the student from practicing to meet their goals, instead of motivating and inspiring them. What I find works best is relating lessons to popular current music, further exploring the bridge of dynamics that make up the songs that the student enjoys. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching methods vary depending on the student's needs and musical knowledge. Normally starting with general repertoire before expanding into different genres in order to obtain a feel for each person's skill or level of understanding. If they are younger, I tend to lean towards the more conventional approach with the Bastien Piano Basics or Piano Adventures for them to grow in the fundamentals. I have found that the more interest they display for piano, the more excited they become about exploring different styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My background in piano playing and composition development is synopsized on my website www.ivorytunes.com as follows: "Enlighten yourself to contemporary new piano music with a jazzy, movie theme flair that emboldens variety, flair and a fresh change to the choices in the current market. The Ivory Tunes website of Vint Hill, VA showcases original piano songs composed by Mike Ryon. His ambition is to add variety and pizzas to your current listening and playing repertoire as well as inspire developing performance musicians to venture down the path of original song composition through inward inspiration and creative enjoyment. Read More