Piano Lessons in West Mclean, VA

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 Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Even my beginner students have been able to compose their own tunes using a few simple chords and some basics in rhythm and meter that I have taught them. Moreover, it is their idea for lyrical content and the mood of the song that really pushes their learning into an accelerated pace. From what I have observed in my students, songwriting, which includes singing, playing, and keeping time seems to be the most enjoyable, immersive, and rewarding avenue of learning music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners, I start with the basics - proper posture and hand position, introduction to the keyboard and note recognition. In my experience, the Faber series is the most widely followed to get students started on their musical journey. As students progress, I ensure that they develop a repertoire that consists of at least 3 songs. I emphasize the importance of technical exercises that begin with 5 finger scales and advance to proper octave scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Lessons are at each students pace. Supplemental materials are studied according to the musical taste of the student. The materials reinforce concepts learned in the lesson book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My private teaching experience dates back to my late high school years and after I graduated from college I began to teach professionally and I also include a wider range of instrumentations. I specialized in woodwinds and I can also teach novice piano and brass instruments as well. In my seven years of teaching experiences, I had helped many students with their auditions and musical growth. Some of them made All-State and/or junior All-State, many students made into All-County bands. 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