Piano Lessons in West River, MD

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I am a creative and passionate musician who recently relocated to Washington, DC. I have performed nationally and internationally as a trumpet player and enjoy playing chamber, orchestral, and solo music. Before I lived in DC, I played and taught in Chicago, Denver, and Cleveland. I love teaching and have extensive experience as a private teacher with all ages and ability levels. My teaching studio in DC is a comfortable environment and each student gets personalized attention, depending on his or he unique needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano

It's most rewarding when my student's display those "ah ha!" moments during lessons. It shows me that they not only understand the material, but that they care about what it is they are learning by striving to improve. I also believe it's important for them to feel that what they are participating in is a worthwhile activity that is not only fun but rewarding to explore. Also making sure they recognize the importance of practice by pointing out how their improvements are the result of their hard work. Read More

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

Hello! My name is Donovan, and I am an instructor who specializes in ear training and technique. Originally being a self-taught musician, I began with piano and harmonica, then eventually branched out to guitar, bass, banjo, among several others. I have ran sound equipment from an early age as well, learning how to set rigs for full bands and how to mix and master tracks for recording purposes. I have met and played with many famous and unfamous musicians, and find that the highest amount of talent is undiscovered and uncultivated. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Keyboard

For young, beginning students, I use the Standard of Excellence series of 3 books. Once a student has progressed through these books, I will normally progress to the book "Forty Progressive Etudes for Trumpet" as they get to an intermediate level and can handle starting to tackle longer and more difficult pieces. After this comes the Arbans book and other technical trumpet books such as Schlossberg and the H.L. Clarke studies books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard

Also, I will use books by Czerny and early Bach tutorials. My teacher at Peabody, Fernando Laires was a student of Isidor Philipp (who himself was of the school of Chopin and Lizst) and as a result I teach the independence, relaxed form, and energy conservation of their schools of technique. For percussion I focus on rudiments, and stick control. When teaching drum set, I teach keeping time, fills, and cross-sticking. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I love music. Music changed my life growing up. I was a very shy kid and music taught me how to connect with others from various backgrounds. I think that music is one of the most powerful forces on our planet. Being a teacher is amazing because I get to share those experiences with my students. I graduated in 2004 with a Bachelors of Music with a focus on Jazz Studies. Read More