Voice Lessons in Arlington, DC

Instruments: Piano Voice

I adjust my teaching based on each student's abilities to maintain a relaxed, fun, and engaging atmosphere.For younger students, I typically start with Music for Little Mozarts, which includes a variety of activities in addition to the exploration of music. For older or more intermediate students, I recommend Faber Faber's Piano Adventures, which incorporates not only interesting musical selections, but also introduces music theory and analysis. For advanced students, I prefer to piece together selected repertoires based on music relevant to their interests; this typically includes a selection of classical and contemporary compositions with some discussion of the pieces' context within a greater scope of music history and theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

Recently I was hired as piano instructor for Quartertonez Music, in Washington DC. Also, I have had experience teaching and studying music education under my high school mentor, renowned music teacher Tim Savage; I was his student-teacher for a semester course at St. Lawrence University. Additionally, throughout my experience as his music student, his teaching approach has infused music education and facilitation lessons within the musical instruction itself. My past teaching experience also includes being a Drill Instructor for the Italian Department at Vassar College for two years during my time as an undergrad (I not only "ran drills" for students who had already started learning the material, but also had to compensate in a variety of ways for the unsuccessful, dysfunctional, or half-hearted engagement that is typical in a foreign language class). Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My specialties/Genres Taught are classical, music theater/Broadway, Jazz, traditional folk songs, church music, Disney. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have also performed with the prestigiousCincinnati May Festival Chorus and had concert appearancesat Disney Hall in Los Angeles, New World Stages in NewYork City, The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, England,among many others. In addition, Rebecca I am a clinician for many master classes- this year teaching and performingat Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Most recently I have enjoyed working for Disney and singing back-up for Kevin Spacey! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

Adult students I have taught typically want to learn to do two things: 1) accompany themselves on an instrument while singing a popular song or 2) learn to play with others ... whether that be a jam session during a jazz set ... or playing behind someone else that is singing or playing a lead instrument. For these adult learners I lean toward teaching chords, arpeggios and scales. Important: I suggest that a student only practice 15 to 20 minutes a day ... whatever amount of time it takes to cover the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When I work with children, however, I focus primarily on ear training and music theory, knowing that those skills will help them out so much more as adult musicians than prematurely trying to learn advanced techniques. In voices lessons with children, I limit my technique-talk to breathing and vowels. (Of course, for those kids who have no concept of what their head voice is, we work on that, too.)Other than that, we focus heavily on solfge, learning to read music, developing a sense of rhythm and internal pulse, and other musicianship skills. Read More

Instruments: Voice

When I meet a student, I take notes on what kind of music they like, what their goals are, and why they feel like voice lessons are the best way for them to achieve that goal. From there I take the pace at whatever the student is comfortable with occasionally pushing it a little bit if progress seems to be too slow. I believe that it is important to challenge but not overwhelm. Read More