Piano Lessons in Somerville, VA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar

As you can see from my profile picture, I have expanded my instrument playing capabilities so that I can teach many different instrument families. I am a current elementary music teacher as well as a private instructor. I am proficient in and can provide basic-intermediate instruction in all instruments listed in my profile. I also have experience teaching each of those instruments. For advanced students preparing for college auditions, I can teach saxophone and jazz piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

In addition to having performed on thousands of stages around the world over the last 15 years, I have been teaching private lessons in percussion for the last 10 years. I have experience teaching individual and group lessons, in some cases with groups of over 50 students. In addition to lessons which address the practical concerns involved in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of drums, percussion, & cello, I teach lessons in structuring performances (aimed mostly at bands looking to take their live production to the next level), prepping for studio time, tailoring performances to their setting (studio, venues small & large, workshops), and techniques for learning large volumes of material quickly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginners who are children, I typically use Faber and Faber's Piano Adventures. One of my biggest goals while teaching is to provide my students with a well-rounded music education. From my experience, the Piano Adventures series aligns well this goal while providing engaging, fun material for children. After completing a series of method books, I start to focus on classical repertoire. While I believe classical repertoire is the best way to build piano technique, musicianship, and musical knowledge, I love including other genres depending on the student's interest. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Enjoyment of music and the cultivation of creativity and self discipline are the primary goals behind my teaching philosophy. No student is the same, and therefore all of my lesson plans are crafted to support the pace and learning style of each individual student. I do not believe in criticizing a student. A warm environment full of encouragement and productive critique with facilitate further enjoyment of music and growth as a musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Oboe Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start with basics: learning how to hold the instrument, put it together, etc. Then when that is solid we learn a few notes. From there we go to the Rubank books. At the same time, we start reading music that I find appropriate for them. For adults, it depends on what they want to learn. Popular songs or songs they request. But I also push for technical mastery of the instrument so I push for knowledge of scales and then keep pushing with more challenging/fun pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I began teaching while in college. I taught band at an Elementary school for 5 Years. I also went on to become an adjunct professor at The University of the District of Columbia teaching "Jazz Trumpet" and "Beginning Jazz Piano". What I love about teaching is the moment when a student "gets it". I love to see that expression of amazement on their faces as they overcome some obstacle that may have been previously plaguing them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I consider myself to be both traditional and old school at certain times, however. I firmly believe that students will lose interest in music quickly if I always teach all students the same techniques and follow conventional music theory. For piano lessons I usually begin without any books until they are comfortable with the weight and the feel of the piano keys. After that I really like to use the John Thompson's piano book grade 1, and I have had many good results with my students in the past. Read More