Carefree, AZ Test Prep Tutors

teach music for over 24 years using the traditional and Suzuki methods. I am a fan of the Essential Elements 2000 for string instruments, and the Alfred's Piano Library for piano. Alfred's piano library can be used for any age as they also have books especially made for adult learners. I also like their music flash cards.
For teaching music theory I mostly used Master Theory.

I personalize every lesson, and always set goals for my students. Most of my violin students are members of the Florida Youth Orchestra as well as Gold Coast Youth Orchestra and my piano students participate in Pompano Beach competition and the annual Piano Guild auditions.
I teach any age and any level, and always stress that learning a new instrument is very similar to learning a new language, it needs a lot of patience, persistence and repetitions. My lessons are customized to my students needs, and are work in progress as they needs may change over time. I always remind my students that music can give them instant gratification when they learn to play favorite songs.
I always encourage my students to tell me about their music preferences, so I can incorporate them in their music lessons.

*** Lesson Details ***
All my tutoring sessions include reviews of previously learned material and if possible the use of technology. I use students books but often bring extra study materials if necessary.
All my lessons include: technique: I like to use the Finger Power for piano students and Essential Elements for my string students, and scales for both.
music theory: I use Master Theory or other books such as Hal Leonard's Piano Note spellers & Piano Music Theory books for younger ages, music flash cards to support learning notes and musical terminology, and of course the fun part performance.

Besides Essential Elements 2000 for strings I also use String Tunes and Fiddle Runners to add more fun to the lessons. For piano students I use Holiday Treats book, which comes in 2 different levels: Beginner & Intermediate, so my students have a new songs for a specific holiday.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I always bring violin with me to be able to show what I teach.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The students needs to have their books and assigned material ready for tutoring. Instrumental students needs to have their music books & instrument available as well as a pencil. I always stress with my students to be organized and prepared for their lesson, this way they will be able to focus better during the lesson. I bring my violin with me. I also ask that the room where the lesson takes place to be free of any distractions, such other siblings or any other noise. The quiet environment helps in faster learning.

*** Specialties ***
I tutor most K-12 subjects and prepare students to take ACT, SAT, GRE tests.
Music genres: Classical, traditional, Suzuki, Popular, Celtic, fiddle, Blues

m the Florida Department of Education. I have taught in Florida as a preferred substitute for general music classes, K-12. In college, I have given study sessions for music theory levels ranging from 4-part writing to post-serialism.

Degrees:
Doctorate of Musical Arts: Guitar Performance; Shenandoah University, expected May 2017/2018
Master of Music: Guitar Performance; University of Akron, May 2014
Bachelor of Music: Guitar Performance; Stetson University, 2011

While giving lessons:
I ensure that every student receives fundamental foundation pertaining to the subject. While learning the basics, I advise that the student organizes their lessons and materials in a way that displays progress over time. With the proper knowledge, we can treat the heart of a subject with refinement in order to grasp it's purpose and reason---whether its music or math.

Why?
My students have grown with confidence through a sense of accomplishment. Success does not only affect a person's well-being but can also impact other dimensions of their lives.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Equipment available if needed:

Foot stools
Music stands
Pencils
Complete home recording studio
Computer/tablet/smartphone w/ internet
Speakers and playback devices
Reference books

*** Travel Equipment ***
Each student is expected to bring with them (if applicable):

Notebook or log
Reference/score materials
Instrument(s) and case
Accessories
Portable sound recorder (optional)

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz and Rock Styles.

Performance, Music Theory, Arranging, Composition.

Elementary Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calc.

to the right and we can discuss in detail what you want from a music instructor and how I can accommodate your musical goals.

ence).

2) Papers: Research papers (and how to do the research for them), essays, creative writing - everything to do with papers you ever wanted to know.

3) Drama (the Theatre kind of drama, not life drama): Acting, directing, staging, analysis, including the aforementioned Will Shakespeare.

***My Promise to You***

I will treat you like an individual - that means that we'll find out how YOU learn best, and we'll work that way. I don't teach "to the test", I don't teach memorization. I teach by asking and answering questions, as well as providing information.

***My Expectation of You***

That you will come with an open mind, come with questions, come with not just the willingness to learn and have fun, but the expectation to do both.

***Lesson Details***

*The Humanities*
The reason so many people go screaming into the night when confronted with lessons in things like history, or government, or English for that matter, are all the names and dates to memorize. I don't teach that way. We begin with things you want (or need) to know. From there, we cover how those things affected other things, It's a huge world out there, and how we got here from where we started is a wonderful and complicated trip. History doesn't happen in a vacuum, and we learn who we are by knowing where we come from.

*Papers*
Obviously I won't write your paper for you, but I will show you how and where to start your research (and how to sort it as well). I will also proof-read for grammar and/or organizational errors and show you how to structure it in general terms.

*Drama*
I have acted, I have directed. From the community to professional levels. We will talk about character creation, about staging, about working with your director as well as your fellow actors. We will mostly brainstorm, and you will be able to experiment in vision as well as technique.