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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Joshua M.

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Joshua MThis week’s Rock Star Teacher of the Week is the multi-talented Joshua M., who teaches several subjects including singing, acting and music performance in the Washington, DC area.  A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Joshua has a strong background and interest in musical theater and also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  In addition to his role as a TakeLessons certified instructor,  Joshua has worked as a Musical Director/Rehearsal Pianist for many shows within the NY/NJ/DC tri-state area and serves as the Co-Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company based out of Washington, DC and Winston-Salem, NC. He remains active in theater and has performed in, written and directed a number of  musicals; some of his notable performance credits include roles in Godspell, Othello, Show Boat, Sweeney Todd, and Les Miserables.

Joshua believes in creating a strong foundation for his students to learn, and focuses primarily on breath, placement and eliminating bad vocal habits early on so that students can grow and develop new skills.  His students describe him as “easy to work with” and “incredibly patient,” and praise his ability to help them understand the core principles and underlying concepts of singing and acting. Congratulations on a job well done, Joshua!

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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Samantha D.

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Samantha DOur latest Rock Star Teacher of the Week has been a musician since the age of three when she started taking piano lessons from her mother, and now plays nearly a dozen instruments ranging from the violin to the tuba!  Meet Samantha D. from Macungie, Pennsylvania, who has been an instructor with TakeLessons since April 2009 and has seven continuing students.  In addition to studying piano, Samantha learned to play clarinet, flute, trumpet and saxophone, often playing different instruments in her school’s band. She also learned the violin and cello, all before graduating high school; she now teaches in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area, and is even planning to hold several half-day music camps for her students this summer.  Her students absolutely love working with her, praising her creativity and patience and saying they would “recommend her in a heartbeat” to anyone looking to take music lessons!

Samantha believes in teaching the fundamentals of music first, which makes the following lessons easy and fun for her students. She sets short and long term goals with each of her students, and works toward helping them achieve these goals with every lesson.  When not teaching music, Samantha is also passionate about horses; she is a certified riding instructor, and trains and shows Hunter/Jumper horses.  Outstanding work, Samantha – we are so happy to count you as one of our many talented TakeLessons teachers!

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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Beverly M.

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Beverly MMeet Beverly M. of El Reno, Oklahoma, who is this week’s Rock Star Teacher of the Week!  Although Beverly has only been a TakeLessons instructor since February, she has quickly become an active member of our teacher community and brings over 27 years of experience to her role as a piano and music theory teacher.  She has worked with students of all ages, and her teaching style covers a variety of musical genres – everything from classical and gospel to country and blues.  Having lived in South America as a child, Beverly is bilingual and teaches lessons in both English and Spanish.

In addition to being a classically-trained pianist, Beverly is also a talented songwriter, having composed more than 200 songs – many of which have been recorded by various artists or arranged for church choirs.  As an instructor, Beverly’s greatest desire is to instill her love for making music in each of her students.  She considers music to be the “language of the heart,” and enjoys sharing her musical knowledge and love for playing with anyone who is willing to learn.

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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Katherine C.

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Katherine CAn award-winning and highly sought after mezzo-soprano and recording artist, Katherine C. of Elmwood Park, IL is this week’s  Rock Star Teacher of the Week!  Katherine has been with TakeLessons since October 2009, and teaches singing and opera voice, music theory and music performance in the Chicago area.  Her students call her a “great teacher with lots of enthusiasm” and praise the attention to detail that she brings to each lesson.  Katherine has taught at both the high school and college level, and her lessons focus on helping her students learn proper singing techniques, including how to prepare the body for singing and correct breathing techniques.

Among the many achievements in her opera career, Katherine created the role of the Young Nun in the world premiere of Stephen Hartke’s The Greater Good during Glimmerglass Opera’s 2006 Festival Season, which was later recorded on the Naxos label, and recently returned to the company as Aglaonice in the critically acclaimed production of Philip Glass’s Orhpée. Next, she makes her role debut as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel at the Syracuse Opera, where she will be awarded the comprimari “Artist of the Year” in 2010. Other notable engagements include a role debut as Sesto in Giulio Cesare and Un Musico in Manon Lescaut at the Florida Grand Opera.  Congratulations on your accomplishments, Katherine!

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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Andrew H.

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Andrew HThis week’s Rock Star Teacher of the Week is the talented Andrew H. of Tampa, Florida!  A recent graduate of the University of Southern Florida with a degree in Music Composition, Andrew has been a TakeLessons instructor since July 2009 and has 10 continuing students with an average of 30 lessons per student – which just goes to show how much his students enjoy learning from him.  Andrew began studying piano at the age of 13, and now enjoys sharing his passion for music with his students.  In addition to piano, he also teaches singing, songwriting, music theory, opera, and theatrical Broadway singing.

Andrew’s versatility comes from his background performing and composing many different styles of music, including classical, opera, jazz and pop.  During his collegiate studies, Andrew fell in love with teaching music and has led several church youth choirs and other vocal groups, in addition to working with students one-on-one.  His lesson plans focus on learning fun repertoire that helps each student develop the techniques needed to become a better all-around musician.  Great job, Andrew – we are glad to have you working with us!


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