Piano Lessons in Crystal City, DC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For students just starting out the focus is always on the fundamentals. Hal Leonard has some great Essential Elements books. When students show progress with these types of instruction manuals we'll usually jump to specific pieces of music that focus on the elements that we learned about in our method books. Lessons are tailored to the student and his or her needs and goals. All students aren't shooting to play at Carnegie Hall or tour the World. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

I have a vibrant personality and I love teaching, especially when it comes to helping students grasp things where traditional teaching methods have proved to be intimidating or unaccommodating. I have performed in a variety of ensembles and have produced multiple volumes of my own compositions. My musical background is rooted in jazz, funk, soul, and latin music, and my teaching method will tend to emphasize "grooves," with a special eye toward harmony, syncopation, comping, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

My master's degree in trumpet performance at the University of Denver included a teaching assistantship: I taught trumpet lessons, coached brass quintets, trumpet ensembles, and more. I had a private studio in Denver and again in Cleveland, where I was before relocating to DC. In Cleveland I taught full-time and ended up with over fifty private students. My students there received such honors as entrance into the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Symphonies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Keyboard

My teaching experience started when I was a college student and was able to intern at several jazz camps in the Midwest, substitute teaching for the main instructors. Through the University of Miami, I was selected to travel to the Jalisco Jazz festival in Guadalajara, Mexico and perform and teach at their camp. I was in charge of leading ensembles as well as teaching masterclasses to the brass players at the camp. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I use traditional method for the students who like to pursue classical music and I teach modern music for those who are not so interested in classical music. Even though I use Suzuki method for violin, I emphasize sight reading and theory. For Suzuki students, I encourage them to memorize whole book and perform before move onto next level. For the young students and beginners, I strongly recommend parents observe the lessons so that they can support and help students to practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I prefer Piano Adventurers for the series I use to teach piano at all levels. Their series is clear and has the proper scope and sequence to teach all ages. I supplement that technique book with a book for finger independence. Hanon virtuoso exercises and scale. As far as my singing method books, I use an Italian technique for singing. The book I use often time is Vaccai. Mainly I use my ears to determine what the student needs to focus on. Read More

Instruments: Piano

While in his Master Combo Class, a sax player in the group happened to mention that the big band he played in had an opening for piano player. And so, in 2007, I officially joined the Reisterstown Jazz Ensemble, a seat I held until 2011. Since then, I have also been fortunate to play in restaurants and hotels in the Baltimore area. All these experiences I feel have aided me in say way, shape, or form. Read More