Music Lessons in Westerwood, NC

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe English Horn

My teaching began in the first year of my undergraduate degree. I was hired on as an adjunct to coach sectionals for a small school who later went on to get high marks on their marching assessment that year. Following that, I taught lessons to those same students. These students were able to place high in honor bands. I also have experience with teaching students who were starting on day one of playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to when I was 17 years old working at a music conservatory for kids from elementary to college students teaching guitar, piano and trumpet. I taught fundamental ear training, private lessons, musical theory, and brass band group lessons. Throughout my 20 plus years of teaching In these music conservatory’s I have developed a method of teaching for the student that is personally adapted for each student to make them better players professionally or for fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano

When working with younger students, my approach is twofold. First, I like to work with Alfred's Basic Series to establish a solid goundwork for reading music and mastering technique. Second, I like to cater the lessons to the student's particular interest, whether preparing solo pieces, practicing theory through ear training and sight reading, or writing compositions. For adults, I like working together to determine the student's goals to keep music-making challenging and engaging. Read More

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: Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

As I mentioned in my Methods statement, I am more interested in seeing a student become a great musician as opposed to just a great instrumentalist. Emotion and interpretation are a big part of a student's musicality, and I will focus on that as a student progresses. In my own journey I have played a number of different musical styles and all have given me a greater appreciation for music. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I began teaching students in earnest during my senior year of undergraduate school in 1984-85. Prior to graduate school I was an adjunct trumpet teacher at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Part of my graduate assistantship was as an instructor and since graduation I have helped a number of students from beginner to intermediate level achieve their goals in both classical and non classical settings. I have played professionally in a number of different touring groups as well as played in backup bands for national and international artists. Read More