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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Rockville . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Voice
I've been teaching piano and voice in the Northern Virginia area for over fifteen years. I have worked at studios such as Jordan Kitts Music and Music and Arts, and have done in-home lessons at students homes, which I still do now. My students range from beginners to intermediate level players, and my approach combines popular music with classical, jazz and traditional styles. Of course, in the beginning they learn to play simple songs that they are familiar with like Frere Jacques, Old McDonald, Jingle Bells and so on. Read More
Instruments: Piano
My teaching experience dated back to my graduate-school days, when I began teaching private lessons to college-age students more than 20 years ago. I have been teaching since then to students from 3-year-old beginners to 75-year-old retirees. I founded my home studio, Joyful Keys Studio, in Gaithersburg, 13 years ago, and have been teaching consistently and passionately. Encouraging students to practice regularly and guiding students to find their musical inclinations and particular musical voices are my main teaching fortes. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
My position began in November 2018 and ended in mid 2019 as the demand of my tennis instruction services needed to take precedence at that time. An additional music instructor position in which I am involved is that of ballroom dance instructor at the Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton. My wife and I have taught very successful and well attended Level 1 and 2 ballroom dance classes there in the fall and early winter semesters there for the past 5 years. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar
My approach varies depending on the student's skill level and chosen instrument, but for beginners I always try to get them familiarized with their instrument: teaching them the basics of reading music and how to navigate the different keys (or strings, etc.). From there I start teaching various musical concepts, the rudiments of music theory, and begin introducing them to different styles of music. When the student is advanced enough, I start having them run through my own custom designed technique and skill drills, and have them start selecting music that they would like to perform on their own. Read More
Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard
Premieres of my works have also been made by the locally-based Balance Campaign and Strata Trio. I believe the role of an artist goes hand-in-hand with the role of an educator: both have a strong sense of moral responsibility. When at our best we foster alternative ways of thinking, problem solving, and communicating with others. I believe that art and education are never a matter of excess. The ability to imagine and create is nothing less than paramount in giving future generations ways to cope, communicate, and address this worlds age-old problems. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Banjo Ukulele Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe
This ability to switch between instruments and incorporate modern techniques of music making are essential to his teaching philosophy. From beginner piano, drums, and voice to advanced styles Mike can cover the gamut of musical goals for any age. Since graduating with a Masters in Performance, Mike has toured the country and abroad in several working groups that have played large festivals, clubs, venues, and notably the Kennedy Center, Strathmore and Presidential Luncheon at the White House. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Music Keyboard
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was in high school when I first became a professional musician and it was a defining moment because it forever changed the trajectory of my life. Now I can never imagine living a life without it.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I enjoy the sounds of other instruments. and It's interesting to experiment with varied sound patterns.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
There's not too many that are into music, but my father did tell me a couple of times that he use to play bass guitar with Bootsie Collins.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would probably work as a scientist for NASA or some sort of engineer.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I really enjoy Avant Garde because it involves a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and abstract sounds.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I do not have a formal degree, but I have graduated from the school of 'Hard Knock' lol...all jokes aside a lot of what I have is raw talent accompanied with my unconditional love for music.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
We'll I've performed my dream piece (Giant Steps) ten times over and sometimes I still play it.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
It looks like and sounds like a ton of listening, a series of warm-ups on long tones, formulated note patterns and song list for scheduled engagements and then I finish off with a series of cool down exercise with scale patterns and more long tones or this practice session may look a bit different depending upon the instrument.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I enjoy using the Essential Band Method series, Universal Methods, Jamey Abersold Books and Charlie Parker Omni Book. These books are great at helping to lay down a solid foundational teaching and engages and encourages students to challenge themselves into achieving new heights in their performance.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I think that mastering dexterity and a really great sound can be most challenging but with lots of consistent practicing you can overcome any challenge.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Performing at Charm City Lights, Artscape, and Afram, as well as touring and recording with great and renowned musicians and artist like Gary Bartz, Angelo Moore, Fish Bone, and opening up for Bad Brains are just few of my greatest accomplishments!
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Yes most of my students received awards and accolades at the end of every school year for their achievements and rendering outstanding community service as valuable memebers of their school band program.
When will I start to see results?
It can take anywhere between 1-2 days or 30 day, maybe longer depending on the interest and commitment level of the student.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes I did; there were several actually and they all inspired me in different ways. My high school music teacher and mentor helped me to build a solid foundation for my playing. He taught me the bases and prior to him there was my middle school music teacher and he taught me discipline. Others that come to mind taught me everything in between and inspired to become the talented and gifted musician that I am today, through their impartation of wisdom, mentorship, constructive criticisms, performance opportunities and encouragement.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I love how the tenor saxophone speaks. It's smooth and clean and conveys spontaneous ideas in ways like no other. The range of the tenor hit sweet highs and savory lows. I'm able to shape and bend a sound exactly the way I hear it in my head. It suits me like a glove, a natural connection that makes all the sense in the world.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Be goal oriented when you practice. Listen to whatever it is that you are trying to master as often as you can. Have fun while you practice but focus less on what you're really good at and more on your challenging and weaker areas. Also before you practice. Make sure to get plenty of rest and eat well. Always strive to make the best of your practice time.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
They will show genuine interest by often time asking you to get them their own instrument.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Rockville to students of all ages and abilities.
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