Raleigh Music Lessons

About Me

I am originally a self-taught musician, picking up piano and guitar on my own at the age of 13. In high school, I studied music theory and sound engineering formally, and often helped my fellow students understand their lessons and learn their repertoire. Since then, I have been lucky enough to make music my full-time endeavor, working as a recording engineer and session player for other artists, playing in live bands, and teaching private lessons to students of all ages.

I have a deep love for music in all its forms, and I love to inspire that feeling in others. I strive to teach every student that they are in control of their own musical progress - I can show them the information they need to further understand a topic, but it is up to them to internalize and strengthen that understanding. With this approach, I try to instill a sense of ownership to a student's musical abilities, resulting in a growing interest in learning and mastering their art.

I customize my lessons,...

About Me

I have been actively involved in music all my life. I started playing violin over 14 years ago. I never would have expected it to take me where I am today. It has guided me to become a confident, respectful, and creatively evolving adult.

I teach mostly all classical style violin, but do have a few students who take the road less traveled with their instrument. Rock, folk, bluegrass, or church bands are a great way to stay interested in the violin if you don't have an orchestra at your school. It is always fun to play by yourself, but if a student is looking to expand in that direction I am certainly willing to guide them there!

I have played in numerous symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, quartets , trios, and also indie pop bands.

All string arrangements are written by myself and my cello duet partner.

About Me

Teaching:
Bob has served as Chairman of the Guitar Department at Duquesne University and also taught Music Theory. He works with young students and aspiring adults teaching Classical Guitar, Rock, Jazz, and Bass. Through a patient, methodical, and encouraging approach, many students have developed their talent and achieved their musical goals while having a lot of fun! Bob has worked as a Church Music Director, sung with Professional Choruses, and has served as special Musical Assistant in Community Theater. He also has played in bands on bass and guitar that feature jazz, rock, and standards. Please listen to the musical examples and video on the TakeLessons website.

Education:
He has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Masters in Music Theory from Duquesne University. His superb technique and musicianship is a reflection of his instructors which include Jose Tomas, Michael Lorimer, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Jesus...

About Me

My name is Carissa. I first began playing the piano when I was 8 years old. As a child, the arts inspired me in so many ways. I wanted to show people how to feel their own souls through the arts the way it made me feel as well. I remember being young listening to Chopin. When I learned how to play his music, I felt as if I were the one creating the passion that the composer felt as he poured his own heart and soul into sound for the people. I also found that in learning piano in such a detailed manner, I could pick up other instruments easily by myself too. I learned and taught a little beginning guitar in my college years as a result.
I studied piano with The California's Music Teachers Association straight through till I graduated high school and went to college. We had yearly exams, recitals, competitions and collaborations. I won several Bach contests and scored very high in all my yearly exams. I decided to go into teaching when I first finished my music lessons. I...

About Me

I am a 2000 graduate from Meredith College located in Raleigh, North Carolina. I received a Bachelor of music in Piano Performance with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy. I have taught private piano lessons since 2000 in a home setting, a studio setting, and in an academic setting. I currently teach private piano lessons in my home in Holly Springs, North Carolina. I am a certified Musikgarten Instructor as well. I have taught preschool music classes at a church preschool, at a School of Music, and at a Music Academy.

In 1995 I was one of the Concerto competition winners and performed the first movement of Robert Schumann's "Concerto in A Minor" with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. In 1999 I performed Chopin's "Nocturne in E-Flat Minor" for a masterclass during the Chopin Festival held at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2000 I gave a Senior piano recital performing works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Barber, and Brahms. Also in 2000 I gave a...

About Me

My name is Alice, but I prefer to be called Al. I grew up working with music in the church, whether it was singing in the choir, playing hymn arrangements on piano, or guitar in the praise band. I have competed in vocal ensembles and have also written arrangements for them to perform. Under my direction, many singers have been brought out of the shower or up from the church pew to perform solos and sing harmony in small groups of singers. Although church was a main musical influence, I am also well-versed in classical, opera, rock, and many other genres. I am currently preparing for my final recital on piano in order to earn my Bachelor’s degree in music. In my recital, I will be performing pieces which represent all eras of music history, from Baroque to Modern. I have also studied voice at the college level, and played bass guitar in a local rock band.

About Me

I was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Due to the fact that both of my parents were in the military, I traveled most of my young life. By elementary school, my family had settled in Fayetteville, NC. I showed an affinity towards music earlier on. I started singing at 3, started playing the clarinet at 11, writing/composing at 12, recording at 15 and arranging at 16. I attended North Carolina Central University and earned my Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Vocal Performance in May 2010. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to work with Branford Marsalis, Joey Calzerrado, Geri Allen, Carmen Lundy, Antonio Hart, and Nnenna Freelon as well as traveled to Toronto, the British Virgin Islands, NY, and Indiana to name a few destinations. I now perform R&B, Jazz, and Hip Hop music locally under the moniker "Coey Rochele" and write/arrange for special events and other local artist. I am now pursuing my Master in Music in Jazz Arranging and Composition. I focus on giving my student tools...

About Me

My dad is an amazing pianist, so I've always lived in a musical household. I began playing drums at age 6 and gradually began writing my own music on piano and guitar. I studied Jazz Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I earned a bachelor's degree in Jazz Drum Set & Piano. Then I spent 7 years in Austin, TX, where I got my real education in the music business. Around 2007 I started teaching lessons to supplement my work performing. My wife and I moved to Durham in 2011, and I quickly began teaching in-home (yours or mine) private and group lessons. I also teach lessons in the Raleigh area through Sam Ash Music.