David J.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Piano, Clarinet, Flute, Music Performance, Music Theory, Saxophone

Education

Manatee Community College - Music Education - 1994-1997 (Associate degree received)
University of Central Florida - Music Education - 1998-2001 (Bachelor's degree received)

Specialties

Traditional methods for all instruments; begin with fundamentals while measuring consistent application of skills learned from week to week. For piano in addition to traditional methods, I also can teach a songwriter based course with more emphasis on chord structures, ear training, and chart writing. I also place a big emphasis on HOW to practice rather than just how often.

Lesson Details

All students who sign up for lessons will receive a basic fundamental foundation of musical knowledge. Once the fundamentals are understood and assessed, we can then begin to take a more in depth approach in reaching the student’s specific goals as a musician. Aspiring songwriters, usually playing piano or guitar will have a different agenda than a high school saxophonist practicing for their state music assessments. Lessons are built around each student’s specific interests.

It’s ... important to know that your musical goals can be met with consistent practice, discipline, and dedication to your chosen instrument. So what is the most valuable and sometimes the most difficult skill musicians must learn and subscribe to? HOW to practice...and that will be the underlying theme to each and every lesson we share. The way we practice shapes us as musicians!

Remember that each time people hear you play or sing, you’re only compared to the best there is. Smart practice makes perfect!

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About

Education Experience:

Private Lessons - 18 years
Public School - 4 years

Instruments taughts: piano, woodwinds

Dave J. holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from The University of Central Florida. While teaching for the St. Johns County School system in St. Augustine Florida from 2002-2006, Dave was twice nominated for Teacher of the Year and wrote several award winning grants for his school's music program. Certifications from the state of Florida he has held include K-12 ... instrumental music.

Performance Experience:

Dave J., aka Dave LaGrande as performed and worked throughout the United States, including Hawaii, and also in Europe, & the Caribbean. His primary instruments include keyboard instruments and saxophone.

Dave has performed or toured directly with artists such as 80's Pop icon Tiffany, Heidi Newfield (formerly of the platinum selling band, Trick Pony), late Opry star, Mel McDaniel, and Grammy nominated vocalist, John Berry.

Dave has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry numerous times as well as national television, with shows including The Late, Late Show w/ Craig Ferguson, The Academy of Country Music Awards, and various TV specials on the Trinity Broadcast Network.

Prior to and since moving to Nashville in late 2007, Dave has always established a solid reputation among the professional musical community and continues to reach new goals each year as a musician and music educator.

Professional endorsements include, Nord Keyboards, Accusound Cables, and Westone In-Ear Monitors.

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