Music Lessons in Garrisonville, VA

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

For beginner students use the Hal Leonard Essential Elements 2000 method books. These books offer a very detailed and easy fundamental based method to start beginners off on the right foot. These books also utilize simple and recognizable melodies to aid in the student’s learning. For adults, I like to use the Rubank Methods, starting with the Rubank Elementary Method. These books provide a very strong focus in fundamentals for those who are slightly more advanced. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Clarinet Recorder

My philosophical statement is that every child or adult should have the right to learn and gain a quality musical education no matter what their racial or sexual or religious identities etc maybe. I also encourage the importance of allowing each student to work at their own pace as they strive to achieve their goals of being a professional musician. I encourage this by working with each student to set realistic goals via the SMART method at each lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students I try to start with the essentials. It is important for young children to become familiar with the instrument, the proper way to hold an instrument. The proper way to sit when playing or stand while singing. Fundamentals at the earliest ages are essential. Practicing the fundamentals leads to success which leads to a desire to learn more about the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

It is a wonderful experience to see a student begin to flourish and grow into the music! I have found that music for young and old can be just the stimulus required to empower someone ... build confidence ... and enrich their lives unlike most other endeavors. Music is something that you can internalize and bring forth in totally new ways ... making it a new creation of your own! I encourage expression for those students that reach a level to do so ... but along the way and from the beginning I encourage students to take their time on a lesson ... goes as slow as it takes to get better at the challenge. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Banjo Ukulele Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

Mike comes from a varied and vast array of musical experiences. He has a bachelor's of music in jazz studies from UNC Wilmington and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Maryland. A highly trained performer on classical and modern piano as well as traditional and contemporary drum set and percussion give Mike an edge in his teaching abilities. Mike has been playing drums and percussion for over 25 years, piano for around 15, and has been studying voice for almost a decade. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My philosophy in teaching the trumpet is based on the individual needs of the student at their particular stage of development.   I strongly believe in reinforcing the fundamentals of brass playing: Proper breathing, air support, correct embouchure and tongue placement are all crucial elements for the trumpeter to achieve production of a clear and open sound.   Once such sound production has been attained in the lower and mid ranges of the instrument, the capability of the player to produce higher tones increases with proper practice and the help of studies of the overtone series as well as the playing of scales.   Rhythmic and metered playing must also be exercised for the sake of re-enforcing the ability to play in tempo and for rendering unfamiliar rhythm patterns manageable.    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