Piano Lessons in Clear Spring, DC

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

I believe method books and small pieces of repertoire are an excellent tool for getting beginning students engaged in music. I also aim to tie in my compositional and improvisational skills into the mix; this can permit beginning students who have yet to master technique to express themselves more freely than written notation may allow them to. Piano is a wonderful instrument because it presents limitless possibilities for sound and is very intuitive -- why not use that openness to let your creative potential soar! Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Music Keyboard

As an instructor, my job is to give the student every opportunity possible to discover their passion for music. The first lesson is always about providing a safe relaxed tone and finding out where that student's progress is. Not establishing an accurate assessment of their progress can be very destructive because it could cause me to come off as either too demanding or condescending. Depending on what their level is, I will design a custom curriculum to bring their weaknesses to the same level as their strengths. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I believe making music fun can keep students motivated and improve their skills. When you love music, you are more motivated to improve. I also believe music is based on a lot of techniques. In order to express your feeling through music and have more fun, you will need to practice to mature the technique. Practice makes perfect!!! I believe that everyone is unique. I encourage my students, but insist that they need to learn something new every lesson so they can get closer to their goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

Getting my students to understand how consistency is much more important than anything else when it comes to practice is the first thing I strive for. I've found that making music learning a fun experience is what will help the student learn. No matter the age, training classically and applying music that the student enjoys is very important to keep the interest level high while not compromising the integrity of music as an art. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

First and foremost, I want to know what your goals are! I have proven methods to make the fundamentals fun, and as you progress we will get deeper into music theory so that you will attain a wide array of knowledge that you didn't even know existed! I like to push my students to push themselves, practice what they are interested in and expand their musical palette! The most important thing is to have fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When I work with children, however, I focus primarily on ear training and music theory, knowing that those skills will help them out so much more as adult musicians than prematurely trying to learn advanced techniques. In voices lessons with children, I limit my technique-talk to breathing and vowels. (Of course, for those kids who have no concept of what their head voice is, we work on that, too.)Other than that, we focus heavily on solfge, learning to read music, developing a sense of rhythm and internal pulse, and other musicianship skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My love and passion for music extends even further into my love for teaching music to kids and adults of all ages and abilities. I am a recent graduate from Shepherd University, with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano performance, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. I have had the opportunity to perform in a number of different settings, including as the pianist in the Shepherd University Community Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Piano Ensemble. Read More