Piano Lessons in Maclean, VA

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

For all students I strongly encourage an appropriate level to begin with. I am very familiar and prefer to teach with the James Bastien series. This series come with the appropriate assigned age level. There are four books with each level. A technic, theory, performance, and Piano. While progressing through that level I mix in to teach Major, Minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales for theory and fundamentals. Other than this specific material I like to match personalities along with solos and other fun activities! 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 Voice

I see myself as a facilitator, helping students discover new elements of music and music theory and building upon those to create a greater understanding of reading and playing music both for piano and voice. Often i will model by playing a song first so that the student cannot not only hear what is sounds like but observe my technique, finger changes, dynamic ranges, tempo and so on. There are many elements to performing a piece besides just playing the correct notes! Read More

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 Flute Recorder

In 2010, she moved to Egypt to teach music at The International School of Choueifat in Cairo. She returned to the States in 2011 and completed Community-Word Project's Summer Institute for Advanced Teaching Artists. Recently, Blythe trained at Great Lakes Suzuki Institute in Guelph, Ontario. Blythe has performed with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, has served as the woodwind judge for M.T.S.B.O.A.'s Solo and Ensemble Festival, and has participated in masters classes with Julius Baker, Erik Gratton, Mary Karen Clardy, and Kenneth B. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I allow each student to progress at his or her own pace. I set realistic goals at each lesson in terms of technique. piano repertoire and theory. I make journal entries at every lesson to record what was covered. I encourage students to participate in recitals and can make arrangements for them to perform, as I beieve that public performance is an important milestone in their musical education. For those who are interested in exams and competitions, I help them to choose repertoire that will highlight their strengths. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I began teaching in 2000. I was very fortunate to have had very qualified teachers throughout my career. When I was in college, I asked my professor, "How do you teach?" And his response was, "Teach as you have been taught." My teachers have included Donald Sutherland, Dame Gillian Weir, David Higgs, Corey McVicar, Carol Prochazka, and more. A few of my teachers trace their lineage from Leon Fleisher, to Schnabel, to Leschetizky, to Czerny, and finally to Beethoven! Read More