Music Lessons in Southside, NC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I use my own method books alongside other pedagogical resources such as the guitar methods left by Carulli, Carcassi, Sor, Brouwer, and many others. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

From 2005-2006 I served on the faculty at Music Academy of North Carolina in Greensboro. After completing my Master's Degree, I joined the faculty at Central Piedmont Community College in 2011, where I have taught several classes including Applied Guitar, Instrumental Repertoire, History of Rock and Roll, Music Appreciation, and Fundamentals of Theory. In addition to my position at CPCC I also serve on the music faculty teaching applied guitar at Davidson College. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My love of teaching is such that every time I am able to work with a student who genuinely wants to learn and has in themselves chosen to engage in the forms of music, I am transported to the position of student and learner as well. The fundamental forms in music are not something to be passed and discarded but forms that can be returned to at different times in your life and reveal more to the learner each time. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginner and even some intermediate students I like the Sigmund Hering Method. I also love Embouchure Builder by Lowell Little. For high school players I like to introduce more solo material and advanced method books including The Claude Gordon Systematic Approach and books by Charles Colin, Earl Irons and Herbert Clarke. While i believe there are certain basic of play the trumpet that are accepted worldwide i do not believe there is only one correct method and encourage my students to incorporate several methods to create their own personal sound. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

For my keyboard students, I like to start with like bit of music theory and learn to read musical notes and proceed to closing warm up exercise and solo repertoire according to their level and interests. For my voice students, I typically focus on their genre of music and teaching their goal in singing. Depending on their goal or focus, I will introduce vocal exercise and techniques although most techniques are good to use in any kind of singing. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Music is, and should be fun! It is also hard work, but when done right, these two go hand in hand. No one should leave a lesson feeling discouraged, personally or musically. This is why I work hard to understand what each individual student's goals are, and quickly assess how he or she may achieve those goals. Additionally, not every student learns the same way, and I strive to ascertain and respond to each individual's needs. Read More