Piano Lessons in The Plains, VA

Instruments: Piano Violin

For 2 to 4 year old students, I use Mozart mouse series. For 4 to 6 years old students, I usually use Faber series and older students, I like to use Basien series. For violin, I start with Suzuki method and as they progress I add wolfhart, scale and solos for young violinists by barber. I also like organize group lessons so that my students have chance to polish their pieces and gave opportunity to work with other musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For young beginners, I generally will start with a beginning method book (such as Hal Leonard's Essential Elements) but the book will depend on the instrument as well. For older students, I want to know what kind of music they enjoy playing or listen to, and guide them along to reach their goals--whether that be to play in a band, write and record an album, or just become a better player! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

I typically begin my lessons with a 30 to 45-minute session to introduce music theory and the chosen instrument. For beginner students, I use a combination of the James Bastien and Alfred's Basic methods to teach foundational music theory. Based on the student’s instrument of choice, I supplement these lessons with additional materials tailored to practice and performance. For adult students, I prioritize their interests, adapting my lessons to make the learning experience engaging, enjoyable, and relevant to their musical goals. 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 Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard

I am very easy to work with and incorporate FUN into my lessons. My primary goal is to see my students enjoying music and liking what they are doing. This will get them to work more towards their goals as they grow through adolescence and into high school and college. Since each student is different I try to focus on reading their reactions to the material in order to to determine what they are understanding and what they are not. 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 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