Hi there! My name is Valerie. I'm a certified music teacher that loves to see a person grow in their love and ability for music. With 14 years of teaching privately, experience teaching publicly, enjoying several years as a Kindermusik teacher, and currently a teacher with VSA arts of Delaware (teaching music to those with disabilities), I find it thrilling to see a person of any age & background grow and blossom in their passion for music!

Though I enjoy and have experience at teaching all ages from children to adults, I specialize in children's music education (ages 5-12). I would describe myself as an elementary school music teacher that teaches privately. ;) My studio is filled with many smiles, stickers for every accomplishment, and a treasure box of cool prizes for those who are practicing regularly and did a great job in their lesson. Lessons are a time where children can feel like music really is fun and enjoyable to learn and experience!

In addition to...

I have been playing the violin since I was eight years old, and singing since I was nine. Beginning only as a hobby, I quickly became bored with my steady diet of classical music. Finally, I found the right teacher, and began learning alternative styles. She directed me to the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camps, where I studied with top violinists from every genre, including folk, jazz, rock, and many more. By the time I reached high school, I couldn't imagine what else I would do with my life. I auditioned for and was accepted into the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, All-County and District Orchestras, and Virginia Commonwealth University Honors Orchestra. I also continued to sing, and auditioned for and was accepted into the Greater Richmond Children's Choir, District Choir, and All-State Choir. While studying classical styles with Juilliard graduates, I also continued with my alternative styles, performing as a guest artist with Grammy Award winning rock violinist Mark Wood and the...

Alexis D. attended college at the University of Delaware and graduated cum laude with a double major in Music Performance: Voice and Music Education: Choral/Vocal. During her time at the University of Delaware, she was involved in numerous musical ensembles including Collegium Musicium , and performed as a soloist on a number of occasions, including two solo recital programs and major roles in the UD Opera Theater program (UDOT).

Ms. D. has performed as a soloist and ensemble singer for the UD Schola Cantorum, The UD Chorale, and the Newark Symphony Chorus. Her solo performance work includes such roles as Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro (UDOT), Despina in Cosi fan tutte (UDOT), Anna in The King and I (St. Marks Theater Co.), and Grace Farrell in the Wilmington Drama League’s production of Annie, where she received rave reviews for her “musically impressive” and “soaring” performance from The News Journal. Most recently, Alexis starred again as Despina in...

At the age of 4 I began producing musicals in my basement with my sister. This progressed to acting classes, piano lessons, and eventually the school musical in sixth grade. I began taking voice lessons when I was in eighth grade and have never looked back. Through high school, I focused on both classical and musical theatre genres, having leads in high school and community musicals and operettas. While attending the University of Delaware, I majored in Applied Music: Voice and had the privilege of performing lead roles in Sweeney Todd, The Pirates of Penzance, The Marriage of Figaro, and Die Fledermaus. In addition, I performed two recitals. I was also fortunate enough to be a member of the University of Delaware Chorale, traveling to both China and Spain for tours and competitions.

I took my first pedagogy class at UD and began teaching voice lessons at the Community Music School during my junior year. This past year I did graduate work at the Pennsylvania State University in...

I hold a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. I have studied piano with Gisa Adler at New School of Music in Philadelphia, PA. I taught public school in the Conestoga Valley School District in Lancaster County, PA and I have taught private piano for over ten years.
I love music and I love teaching - seeing my students progress and reach their goals. I believe music should be a pleasant experience and a demanding and ill - spirited teacher can ruin a student. I am NOT one of these. You will find me patient and supportive.

I began violin playing jazz/folk music with my dad and performing at different venues with him. I was always attracted to the variety of scales and sounds eastern music had to offer. I love the sound of a gypsy violin, how it can create such a strong sorrowful sound or how it can dance and sing.

I found the gypsy inspired pieces composed by classical composers like Monti's Csaras. This was my connection into classical music. I found a teacher who played classical and arabic violin and began studying intensely for technique. As I got deeper into the study of classical I realized how much I love classical music.

I now have been playing classically for 6 years and have been playing the violin 12 years I have studied with Hannah Khoury, Daniel Han of the Philadelphia Orchestra and am currently with Vladimir Dyo who is a full time faculty member at Temple University.

I began attending Temple Universities Boyer College of Music in 2011. I have performed in Kimmel Center and...

I began violin lessons at age five, and was requested by the youth conductor to join the Palm Beach Youth Symphony a year later. For eight consecutive years, I performed with many other youth orchestras and served as concert mistress several times. At the age of thirteen, I auditioned for and joined The Venice Symphony during the 2004-2005 season and was a part of their ensemble for seven consecutive seasons, including the position as assistant principal. In addition to the Venice Symphony, I have also performed with the Sarasota Pops for two seasons, The South Shore Symphony Orchestra as assistant concert mistress and as concert mistress, and Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra. Recently, I relocated to the South Philly and am now performing with the Delaware County Symphony in Aston, PA, and the Rose Tree Pops located in Media, PA. Over the years I have had performing experience with violin duets and trios with a classical guitarist on a number of occasions for...

I have been singing for as long as I can remember. It is my very favorite activity. I have transformed my love of singing into a career.
I have been teaching music lessons for over 25 years. When you study with me you will have the advantage of that experience. I have extensive experience teaching students of all ages. Throughout my teaching career I have taught students with varied backgrounds and diverse needs. If you are a person who was told not to sing by your music teacher, don't give up! I have taught many children and adults to match pitches and improve their singing voices.

I earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Moravian College and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Temple University. While at Temple, I studied standard vocal repertoire and Early Music. I have also completed graduate courses in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at West Chester University.
I served on the faculty of Suburban Music School for 17 years where...

Ever since my mother played the Beatles on her stereo when I was very young, I have always been attracted to music. This attraction morphed into a passion when I started taking piano lessons at age eight. I soon moved to Cello and then Guitar, which I consider my primary instrument in terms of proficiency and expression. In high school, I expanded my musical boundaries even further by playing guitar in one of the school’s jazz bands as well as playing percussion in the symphonic band and playing both snare and bass drum in the marching band. I decided that I wanted to pursue music as a career, so I majored in music education at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University. I not only learned many methods and strategies involving music learning theory, but I also improved my overall musicianship and understanding of musical theory. I also sang in the Pappert Chorale and played guitar in the Jazz Guitar Ensemble. I studied guitar under both Ken Karsh and Mark Koch...

I'm a classically trained pianist. I graduated from West Chester University with my Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance in 1985. I then went on to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where I earned my Masters degree in Piano Performance in 1987. Beginning in 1987 I taught at the Settlement Music Schools in Philadelphia. I remained there for 16 years working with virtually every level of student from beginner to advanced. From 2004 to the present I have been teaching in my own home studio in West Chester, Pa.

I have a lot of experience playing in a variety of settings from solo and ensemble classical guitar, funk, R&B, jazz, rock, jam, and pop. I received a guitar performance degree from Towson University in Spring of 2012 and have been teaching since 2008. I feel comfortable teaching all levels and all styles of music with jazz and classical guitar being my specialties.

General music teacher and chorus teacher at St Monica's School in Philadelphia. Former director of the Delaware County Concert Band and served as music director for the Glenolden Young People's Performing Arts Club. Orchestra Sub for Arden Theater Company's production of Sweeney Todd. Substitute Music and Pre kindergarten teacher at Media Providence Friends School 2001 to 2003. Member of Chester City Band 1987 to 2000. Piccolo chair UpperDarby Sousa Band 1987 to 1993. Recorded with the Porch Chops in 1993 and Upper Darby Sousa Band in 1987. Orchestra Member Upper Darby Summer Stage 1987-1993. Played in Upper Darby Jazz Festival in 1989. Won Soloist award. Played with Settlement Music School Jazz ensemble 1987 to 1989. Played at the Roam and Hass Jazz festival at Settlement Music School in 1988. Founding member of flute ensemble Flutes in a Chord. Studied with Christine Dalsey . Studied Jazz with Lovett Hines. Attended Masterclasses with Nestor Torres and David Cramer. Specialist...