Voice Lessons in Hagerstown, DC

Instruments: Voice

Each student has individual strengths, weaknesses, physical and emotional needs and goals for their singing, and it is my responsibility as a teacher to meet students where they are. By facilitating a safe and low-pressure learning environment during a lesson, the student is free to explore their own abilities, experiment through trial and error, and fully flourish on their singing journey. I believe good technique is best discovered through the diligent study of scales and vocalises, which are then incorporated into whatever repertoire they are interested in working on. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am a beginning teaching artist in terms of private studio lessons, but I do have experience in group teaching settings. I am excited to teach students of all voice types and with any musical interest! Students can expect to begin singing in classical Italian, as I find these pieces greatly help students in learning the essentials of vocal technique; and for non-beginners, it is often very beneficial to revisit the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have also performed the bass solo in Verdi’s Requiem. I am also a devoted lieder singer having performed Schubert’s Winterreise, Schumann’s Dichterliebe and Brahms’ Vier ernste Gesänge. My research interests include the application of motor learning strategies to the singing voice studio and vocal tract acoustics. My doctoral dissertation is entitled "The Application of Motor Learning Feedback in the Singing Voice Studio." https://ycp.academia.edu/ColinJohnson In addition to my doctorate, I earned a Master of Music in voice pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory and Bachelor of Music in voice performance from the University of Iowa. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I use Bastien Piano Basics for young and older beginners, as well as supplemental books from Alfred Piano and Hal Leonard. For intermediate students, we begin building a repertoire together of pieces the student enjoys and plays well. I try to find a nice balance between classical, traditional, and popular music. For voice I use the Little Singers series for kids and supplemental books of songs from Hal Leonard. These songs include Disney favorites and other classic songs such as "Puff, the Magic Dragon". 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

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching a few beginner-level students during my first few years of college, and I have taught at the Bach to Rock music schools, and found that I enjoyed building new musicians. I like to emphasize the benefits of consistent, focused practice, especially to my beginner students, as well as the importance of proper warm-up activities. While I believe that music students should learn what they can of the vast and beautiful classical repertoire, it is also important that they are given the opportunity to learn songs and pieces that are important or interesting to them. Read More

Instruments: Voice Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Music

Even though I am still in school I actually have a job as a music educator already! I teach at a private school and I absolutely love my job! I am a self taught instrumentalist but I also have taken lessons as well. I do not have a huge amount of private lesson teaching but I have experience group teaching and teaching a class. I only want the best for my students and I want them to succeed and have a love and appreciation for music. Read More