Gregory D
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Opera, Reggae, New Age, Punk, Avant-garde
Gregory D
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Opera, Reggae, New Age, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
My Studio
Ages Taught: 3-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
High School Diploma, George Mason High School, Falls Church Virginia BM, University of South Florida, Cello Performance
Awards:
2014 - $5,500 Scholarship to attend the Round Top Festival Institute
2010 - Marjorie Roe Endowed Scholarship in Cello at the University of South Florida
2010 - Performed Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major with the Washington Youth Chamber Orchestra in Northern Virginia
2010 - Third Place in the Lions Club of Virginia Music Scholarship Competition
2009 - Participation in the Holton-Arms Invitational String Quartet Workshop with the Arianna String Quartet in Bethesda, Maryland
Overview:
A native of Florida, I recently graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa under the tutelage of Scott Kluksdahl, an internationally renowned cellist and pedagogue. My other primary cello teachers include Loran Stephenson (National Symphony Orchestra), Helga Winold (Indiana University) and John Kaboff (Arlington, VA). I have participated in masterclasses with David Requiro and the Baumer String Quartet, Noreen-Cassidy Polera, Rhonda Rider, Jan Müller-Szeraws, Joshua Gordon, Carol Ou, Rupert Thompson, Robert Jesselson, Ross Harbaugh, Rebecca Penneys and Norman Fischer. As a strong advocate of new music, I have actively participated in numerous student composer concerts that have presented new and viable works from USF's esteemed composition program. I have also participated in the Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival (2012 and 2013) and the annual Tennessee Cello Workshop (2009). I was the principal cellist of the 2009 National Philharmonic Summer String Institute under the direction of maestro Piotr Gajewski and I was recently the Assistant Principal of the University of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Throughout my high school career, I taught and performed actively as a guitarist and pianist in many varying ensembles ranging from improvisatory ensembles to rock and roll groups. As a motivated instructor, I focus on building depth of experience and knowledge regarding music and all of its aspects in students of all ages. Furthermore, I proclaim the importance of the fact that musicians create and communicate directly through their presentation of musical works at any level and on any instrument.
EXPERIENCE
As an avid music instructor of three different instruments, I have a very diverse teaching background that encompasses approximately six years of cumulative musical training to students of all ages. As a patient and understanding teacher, I have worked with students with Asperger's syndrome as well as students with severe ADHD. In my lessons, I emphasize consistent practice that is paired with consistent positive and encouraging feedback so that my students truly learn to grow not only as musicians, but as individuals. This is to say that, in my studio, mistakes are part of the process and not necessarily to be frowned upon. Even at a high level of musicianship, I teach my students that the true meaning of music does not lie in the perfection of a performance, but in the communication of a deeper passion that mistakes cannot overshadow.
METHODS USED
For beginning cello students of all ages, I normally use one of my teacher's method books: Cellocity by Helga Winold of Indiana University. As my cello students progress, I slowly introduce smaller pieces that can normally be found in Suzuki method books. After my cello students have advanced significantly, I begin to introduce more complex pieces that are found in the standard cello repertoire. Eventually, my students reach a level where they gain the ability to gauge their experience level and select their own pieces with my approval. Throughout the process, I also integrate tidbits of music theory and history to give the student a more well-rounded experience. As for guitar and piano, I normally take a more custom approach to teaching that tends to not revolve around any specific method book. However, I typically teach beginning pianists and guitarists how to read through and play simple pieces of music so that they understand the fundamentals before moving on to a mix of songs or pieces that I select and songs or pieces that the student wishes to play so as to keep things fresh and exciting.
LESSON STYLE
My teaching style is supportive and progressive. Keeping things fresh, new, and exciting is always a factor in all of my lessons, no matter the student or the instrument. Furthermore, my teaching philosophy is that positivity and encouragement leads to progress at all levels. I try to push my students to achieve their full potential without making them feel forced to do so. This way, my students learn more about themselves through music instead of feeling stagnant and unmotivated because of music.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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