Piano Lessons in Mount Vernon, VA

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 Trombone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Euphonium Tuba Keyboard

I began teaching private lessons in college with a few students that went to the school and I fell in love with helping people reach their musical goals. With the 6 years of teaching experience I have realized that the skills you get from learning an instrument are more important than we think, it helps with problem solving and critical thinking. Also critical listening is the biggest skill that you will develop. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Djembe

My approach to teaching is based on a large amount of communication between the students, the parents, and I. I love to know what my students are thinking in order to enhance what they are looking for in musicianship. I believe that musicians should be allowed to play and learn freely, however, the foundation given by learning jazz theory, gives any musicianship a bigger dynamic of playing for whatever genre they specifically like to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

If a teenager would like to learn how to play pop chords, I start them with an appropriate book. If an adult wants to learn pieces to sing in church, I will offer my skills as a classical singer and professional church choir section leader to teach them how to sing beautiful melodies and passionate contemporary songs. For all my students, I am always on the lookout for new method books and resources that will aid their studies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

 For beginning students, I teach with a method that would not "reinvent the wheel" learning notes on they instrument which makes sense to them easily. A,B,C, etc.. Once the notes are know without thought, they will have knowledge of how music is taught in the industry and from lesson plans like Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Everyone is unique (as GOD has made us) and there are unique ways one can grasp learning music..... Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that the goal of music lessons is to discover what each student wants to achieve. Therefore, I seek to use different methods, lessons, and exercises that will work toward what each individual wishes to accomplish for themselves. If we can work together on a particular piece of music or a song that a student wants to learn, then there is a goal to accomplish and it is fun to reach that goal! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I teach breath support, vocal range expansion, resonance, tone placement, posture, proper diction, sight reading notes, ear training, releasing tension and stage performance. I can help my students improve technique for any genres of music they want with a focus on building a solid and healthy technique. For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Alfred’s piano book library Essential Elements. I recommend Alfred’s Prep course for age of 5 to 6 years old. Read More