Piano Lessons in Millers, MD

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience dated back to my graduate-school days, when I began teaching private lessons to college-age students more than 20 years ago. I have been teaching since then to students from 3-year-old beginners to 75-year-old retirees. I founded my home studio, Joyful Keys Studio, in Gaithersburg, 13 years ago, and have been teaching consistently and passionately. Encouraging students to practice regularly and guiding students to find their musical inclinations and particular musical voices are my main teaching fortes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

Every student is different, and every student has a different level of ability, interests, etc. I find it's important to be mindful of what each student needs at any given moment in their musical journey. Part of this involves asking vital questions and assessing each student's innate musicality before proceeding with materials. Some kids are very precocious are best suited for materials intended for adult beginners. Sometimes students who are seniors feel very fulfilled by learning fundamental skills with simplified showtune melodies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

I have a vibrant personality and I love teaching, especially when it comes to helping students grasp things where traditional teaching methods have proved to be intimidating or unaccommodating. I have performed in a variety of ensembles and have produced multiple volumes of my own compositions. My musical background is rooted in jazz, funk, soul, and latin music, and my teaching method will tend to emphasize "grooves," with a special eye toward harmony, syncopation, comping, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

For pianist lessons, I like to use the Piano Adventures book series for beginner students of any age. These are the books I used when I began taking lessons at the age of six, and I have found that they are a very productive tool in teaching students with a a variety of different backgrounds. For organ lessons, I like to use Hal Leonards First Organ Book, as it contains many pieces of music that target work on specific techniques from legato fingerings to proper pedal techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard

I also played piano for the Goucher college dance program and gave lectures on Music History, Music for Dance, and Rhythm in Music. Through the years I have had a variety of students: both beginners; and also advanced who went on to music school. I also teach beginning adults, most of whom wish to play chords, sheet music, or entertain family. I have performed some of the most difficult music written, including the Ives 1st Piano Sonata, and selections for Messiaen's "Vingt Regards sur l'enfant-Jsus". Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a passionate and motiviated pianist and instructor and love sharing my love of music with my students! I have been playing piano for 22 years, and graduated from Taylor University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management Systems and Piano Performance. I also earned a minor in music recording technology. I love playing piano for my church's worship services, and have had an opportunity to serve as an accompianist for a wide variety of musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students I typically start with Bastien piano books which have 4 different levels. Once they finish 4 levels, I will begin to introduce classical songs, Hymn, Jazz, Game music, Pop and also teach them free styles with chord progressions. Also, my students can learn any songs they want to play since I am able to remake songs based on their level. For adults, I focus on teaching the sight-reading skill with the right technic and theory and also my adult students can learn any genre of music with me. Read More