Music Lessons in Marriottsville, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My methods and approach to teaching a student all depend on the student (or group of students). I like to find out what attracts my students to music, and more specifically, why they want to learn to play piano. By investigating the motives of my students, I can better tailor a lesson that delivers both what they want to learn and what they need to learn. Once the goals are known, we begin to build a foundation of technical and creative exercises to increase skill and comprehension within the realm of playing piano. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I like to teach without books as much as possible as I feel it allows the student to internalize musical concepts better. The book series I use however is the Rubank method books. These have easy fundamental exercises to help keep the chops in shape and to work on reading music. I also recommend students buy sheet music of music they like(assuming it is at their playing level) and will happily work on it with them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I've been playing music my entire life (my mom claims she had me playing 9 months before I was even born!) and I started playing professionally when I was 14. To say I love drums and percussion would be a profound understatement. I've played professionally at many times throughout my life, but I really don't differentiate my professional experiences from all of the musical experiences I've had. Some gigs are wonderful and some not so much. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The most important thing for me is that the student is playing in every lesson. I like to know what the student enjoys listening to, and go from there. It is my belief that there is nothing too hard to learn. Whatever the student is interested in, I promise we can get there. Learning songs not only helps build interests, but is one of the best ways to learn. I strongly believe in the importance of improvisation because I believe it helps develop many skills, and I love jamming with students in lessons. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I always enjoy sharing my approach to drumming with other drummers. Two years ago I hired a private instructor to coach me in the fine points of teaching. I then started teaching and love every minute of it. I am expanding my client scheduling from 5 per week to 20 per week. I believe I have found a calling in this profession, and love knowing that I am working my passion while helping other people grow as drummers, too. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Double Bass Keyboard

I am a professional classical bassist turned singer/songwriter - I also teach and play cello and general music. For over a decade I have performed with orchestras, chamber ensembles, bands, duets, trios, solo, etc... as well as teaching students of a variety of instruments and ages. Besides bass, I have taught piano, cello, pop vocals, ensemble skills, music theory, music production, and coached based on individual projects. I have played with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, in Russia, and at Carnegie Hall as a substitute musician as well as Quintango, a tango group based out of Alexandria, VA. Read More