Piano Lessons in Great Falls, VA

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Fundamentals are so important and always addressed first. Things like finding the best sound possible and physically setting yourself up to play in the most efficient way are the most important at every ability level. If you study trumpet with me, you will work on breathing, finding your most beautiful sound, and basics like scales and long tones. These steps are needed to have the fun and growth that playing an instrument brings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Euphonium Tuba Keyboard

I have an arsenal of books and teaching techniques that will give the student the best chance at successful learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I believe making music fun can keep students motivated and improve their skills. When you love music, you are more motivated to improve. I also believe music is based on a lot of techniques. In order to express your feeling through music and have more fun, you will need to practice to mature the technique. Practice makes perfect!!! I believe that everyone is unique. I encourage my students, but insist that they need to learn something new every lesson so they can get closer to their goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching style, above all, is to create a space for each individual student where they feel safe. I want my students to be able to express their frustrations, or express what they need me to change in my teaching style, or be able to experiment and have fun! In that vein, my studio is also a safe place for ALL, including those who identify as LGBTQIA, people who are disabled, or those of any faith or immigrant status. Read More

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

When first starting with a student, I gage what their level of music is and go from there. With all my students regardless, we start off with Hanon exercises and scales. These are the fundamentals of piano. Music theory will also be applied as needed to help students learn music appropriately and efficiently. With beginners, we start with the John Thompson Piano Books so that students are getting the well rounded ins and outs of the piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Melissa started teaching during her senior year of college when she took her first vocal pedagogy course. Teaching has been an important part of her schedule ever since. Over the years, she has taught privately, through various community schools, through several national companies, and she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Illinois State University for two years. Thus, she has experience teaching all ages and skill levels. Her students have ranged from beginners to university music majors, from age 3 to age 72. Read More