Piano Lessons in Fairfax, VA

Instruments: Piano Voice

For young voice students, I usually start them off with the Giant Book of Childrens Vocal Solos, which has enough songs to last the first few years of learning to sing, and the Full Voice books in order to learn solfedge and some music theory. Once we have done some of the simpler songs that teach fundamentals, we then can add supplemental pieces (classical, folk, appropriate pop). For teens and adults, both piano and voice lessons are tailored toward goals and interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

As far as books go, I prefer the Hal Leonard method, especially for beginner musicians. I combine visual, audio and kinesthetic learning methods to tailor to anyone's needs. After the basics are taught or they're already learned, I assess the student's level and teach the student what they wish to learn to the best of my ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard

My preferred piano method is Piano Adventures and I recommend using the Lesson, Theory, and Sight Reading books at each level. For guitar and voice I typically do not follow any specific method unless the student has a preference. For more advance piano students I typically will begin using Suzuki or move them to Burgmller Etudes and Schumann's Opus 68 - Album for the Young. I perform an assessment of new students in the areas of sight reading, music theory, rhythm, performance, and ear training. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Michael T. Brown is a diverse performer, equally comfortable with everything from operatic literature to Scottish folk songs. On stage, he is regarded as a strong actor with a rich voice, and he is known for being a quick read. His opera roles have included Captain Fitzbattleaxe from Gilbert and Sullivan's Utopia Limited, Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, Monostatos in Magic Flute, Peterman in M. Choufleuri, and numerous chorus and supporting roles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

My approach seeks to breathe air under the wings of the students' interest and attention by making them a constant starting point, while also laying the groundwork of introspection for students to develop and apply their own practices of learning, exploration, and innovation going forward. My teaching methods focus on considering embodied experiences of music, as well as a range of philosophical considerations. Students will be encouraged to think about how feelings, subjectivities, sounds, and spaces interact in complex ways, along with a series of other metaphysical questions that I believe are essential to a holistic praxis of understanding and learning music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Melissa started teaching during her senior year of college when she took her first vocal pedagogy course. Teaching has been an important part of her schedule ever since. Over the years, she has taught privately, through various community schools, through several national companies, and she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Illinois State University for two years. Thus, she has experience teaching all ages and skill levels. Her students have ranged from beginners to university music majors, from age 3 to age 72. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

After finishing school, I began establishing my own studio. In addition to classical piano, I have received two years of collegiate-level vocal instruction. Singing has been a part of my life since a very young age--I believe singing is a wonderful form of musical expression and recommend it to enhance instrumentalists' understanding of phrasing. I also play guitar and have ample experience in contemporary keyboard from church settings. I hope to use all of this experience to provide a rounded music education to my students. Read More