Music has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing the piano when I was 7 and from there my love for music grew. Since then I have picked up many other instruments including but not limited to, the trumpet, stand-up bass, bass guitar, french horn, flute, and clarinet. I have played with many different bands in the DC, VA, MD area with genres varying between classical, jazz, latin, ska, and funk. Not only am I a music instructor, I also repairs/refurbishes instruments. I studied music education at Radford University and have been teaching music since May 2008.
EXPERIENCE
I started teaching piano as a substitute for a mom in pop shop in Ashburn, Va when I was in high school, after a couple of months they started me as a full time Instructor for Trumpet and Piano. While I was in university I taught private lessons to the local middle/high school students. Every Winter and Summer break, I helped run music camps and group piano lessons in Ashburn and Brambleton, VA. I have also taught middle school flute and clarinet in the Loudoun County Public School System, it was a lot of fun and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I've been teaching music since May 2008 and love music. My goal is to pass on my passion for music to future generations. Many of my student I have had for years on end. I've gotten to see them grow up and it's a very fulfilling knowing that I have contributed to the family’s life by teaching the kids to play music and foster the courage for the students to play for their families.
METHODS USED
Beginner Piano - I typically start out with Faber's Piano Adventures Series. Once they have grasped the reading of music, scales, and arpeggios I start branching out into a fundamental book such as Finger Power and we start working on songs that they find fun and interesting. Once we get into the grove I start teaching more in depth theory. Beginner Band/Orchestra - I typically start out with the method book that is used in your school district. Once they have grasped the reading of music, scales, and arpeggios I start branching out into an Etude/Fundamental book such as the Guenther/Rubank and we start working on songs that they find fun and interesting. Once we get into the grove I start teaching more in depth theory. Intermediate/Advanced Players - Once you get to a certain level, my methods vary while, because every student has different genres they like to focus on. Different genres require different focuses on technique. If you have any interest in composing this is where I start teaching advanced theory and composition. Special Needs - I have had many special needs students who have taught me how to be a better teacher and how to reach kids who have different disabilities.
LESSON STYLE
Over the past 10 years I have developed different methods of teaching musical concepts so that if the lessons don't make sense the first way I explain them I can teach it from a different angle. Not everyone can learn the same way so you have to be flexible with different teaching styles. I like to make sure the student learns not only what they need to know, but also what they want to know. I find when students have some input into the songs they want to learn they have more fun and more successful, which leads them to sticking with their instrument and loving music as much as I do. Because of this it has lead me to arrange popular songs you hear in video games, movies, and on the radio into more basic and playable versions for beginner players. They love showing off these songs to family and friends!
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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