Music Lessons in South Riding, VA

Instruments: Guitar Flute Drums Piccolo Acoustic Guitar

I absolutely love getting students really excited about their instrument. I like to show videos of high level playing and introduce a wide variety of genres and styles while I find exactly what it is that inspires the student to play. My lesson structure normally consists of a warm up, rudiment/sticking work, reading or playing exercise and new concepts, then work on a song. I really try to get my students playing along with tracks so they can hear how drums sound in a band setting and apply it to their playing! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time for school years, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 17 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For Beginning Students, I suggest using either Hal Leonard's Essential Elements or Rubank's series of books starting with the Elementary Method book in addition to a warm-up that is essential to what they need to work on. Once my students have a grasp of the fundamentals, I suggest a step up in method books to both Rubank Intermediate series and Bordogni Etudes. In addition, I will assign solo repertoire that we will work on for either recitals or competitions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard

I am very easy to work with and incorporate FUN into my lessons. My primary goal is to see my students enjoying music and liking what they are doing. This will get them to work more towards their goals as they grow through adolescence and into high school and college. Since each student is different I try to focus on reading their reactions to the material in order to to determine what they are understanding and what they are not. 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 Clarinet

My methods are intervolic reading for voice and piano. I also teach the intervals to clarinet and saxophone students. I feel it is important for the students to be able to excel and read music even when they are alone. My students will learn theory and be able to comprehend the language of music. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I like Ted Reed's book, "Syncopation", and Haskell Harr's book "Podemski'sSnare DrumMethod." But I may bewilling to work with a similar book you have already purchased. I'll spend more time on "rudimentaldrumming"for those who aspire to play in a marching situation, and less time on it for those only in a concert band setting. Read More