Violin Lessons in Thurmont, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Double Bass Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

As I have taught for many years, I feel encouraged and motivated when I can pass along my love for music. Nothing is more inspiring to me than to see someone's face light up when they pick up their instrument and learn. I set tailored goals for my students to reach every week, so that they have specific targets to reach. Positive reinforcement is the key to keeping a motivated student, and I encourage them in anyway possible making myself available to them throughout the week even after the lesson is over.  Read More

Instruments: Violin

My beginners generally start with the "All For Strings" series to obtain the basic elements of violin playing. This curriculum provides students with virtually every phase of beginning through intermediate string study. I introduce solo repertoire that matches the musical interest of each student. I also guide my intermediate students through study of their current Middle School or High School orchestral repertoire. With adults, I endeavor to combine their tastes and interests with musical literature that is fun and sustains interest such as Mazas and Viotti duets. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Recorder

For my youngest students, age 7 and under, I begin with Adventures in Violinland, a wonderful method written by Shirley Givens, instructor at Peabody Preperatory. This teaches note reading with a solfegg system. It has a strong emphasis on technique. For beginners ages 8 and up, I use either Essential Elements or Sound Innovations, usually matching it with whatever the school district uses that the student lives in. As the students progress, I use the Suzuki repertoire as well as various scale and technique books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Music Keyboard

On strings I teach a modified Suzuki method, supplementing pieces of a student-requested style at technical benchmarks. Again, connection to music is critical and one of the ways to gain that is through personal involvement in lesson directions. For children, I teach piano from the Bastien method, whereas adults go with Alfred's All-In-One Course. Voice students will gain foundation through classical training and branch into other styles as they are ready. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will introduce solo repertoire suited for his or her first recital performance. I introduce etudes to the students after the student demonstrates the ability to play several simple pieces well. For intermediate and advanced students, I typically do not let them play a piece at a certain grade level until they have finished playing one piece one grade level below that. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with violin method book, Essential Elements for Strings to learn the good basics and reading the notes and where to find those notes they just learned on the fingerboard. I also introduce the Suzuki Violin School volume 1 to learn the major songs written for the violin and simply to play more songs than the scales and exercises. For students who are more advanced, I help them their school orchestra music and make sure they are doing very well on top of the class in addition to continuing with the private lesson music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music Keyboard

I am a passionate and motivated musician, artist, and educator. I believe God blessed me with the gifts I have in order to be a musical blessing to others and teach instrumental music. I have been a performer since middle school and have carried it into my professional career. I graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Arts and a minor in music. The Urban arts degree combines vaious art form with the individual focusing on his/her particular art form. Read More