Elkton, FL Music Theory Lessons

nd performance art and improvisational acting at East Carolina University in North Carolina, and appearing in shows and pageants across the east coast, I found my life's work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've taught hundreds of different students since 2003 with great success, from 5-year-olds with special needs to middle-aged professional opera singers, from a professor in Saudi Arabia to a 65-year-old doctor of music, from kids of Radio Disney to students of the famed Actors Studio in New York, from busy stay-at-home parents to retirees with bucket lists, from CEOs to touring singer-songwriters.

I've created and led a workshop about singing called, "The Whole Body Singer". I've written dozens of articles about music and music education for the blog at TakeLessons.com.

My extensive knowledge of the voice has encouraged and empowered hundreds of singers and prepared many of them to win competitions, pageants and auditions, as well as roles in operas and musicals, including lead roles in Limelight Theater and Curtis Camp productions. When a student comes to me in need of voice coaching, my job is to get to the root of mental blocks, to reveal why and how she's not singing at her optimum.

Before I received formal training at a conservatory, I learned piano on my own, and both have prepared me to teach almost anyone, with any experience, how to play.

The intensive training and education that I received at Westminster Choir College in songwriting, music theory and sight reading has benefited my students at every level.

My current work as singer and keyboardist in the acoustic folk rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. As a lifelong learner, I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2014.

In the lessons that I teach, I'm flexible, positive and encouraging. While I want my students to have fun and love music, not dread it, I expect hard work and persistence. I am caring, patient, nurturing, and compassionate.
In piano lessons, I usually allow the student to choose a piece with which to warm up and then move on to technique and repertoire.
In voice lessons, I usually warm up the singer and discuss technique and sight singing before focusing on song choices. Joan Frey Boytim wrote a book for voice that I like to use, and I like the Estelle Liebling exercises for the more advanced singer. Hanon exercises are a big part of my piano curriculum, and I enjoy the Bastien and Alfred books for young and old. I have used completely random songs pulled out of a piano bench and a karaoke CD for kids. I will use almost anything I can get my hands on if it means effectively teaching music.

Acting lessons consist of exercises and games that apply learned concepts, with an emphasis on stage acting and Meisner technique, as well as monologue and audition coaching.

Currently, I have only online availability for guitar students.
Students under the age of twelve will use the Alfred Guitar Book for Kids. All other students will start with the Hal Leonard Guitar Method.

Parents, siblings and spouses are always welcome to observe lessons quietly.

Wind & Fire member & various black church choirs.

*** Lesson Details ***
To connect with, meet you halfway on the path with, teach & direct from a sound & experienced mind the shortest and most direct methods to unveiling one's musical dreams coupled with on-going personal support, guidance, empowerment training, accompaniment and honest advice.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Music Theatre, Blues, Hard Rock, Gospel, Psychadelia, Acid Jazz, Metal, Country, Comedy, Free Jazz, Spoken Word...(everything other than serious classical music.)

BASS, UKULELE, OR GUITAR at your pace under the care of a patient and experienced teacher.

You will get to play on your instrument EVERY LESSON, and I will have you rocking out to your favorite songs in no time at all.

I am currently accepting new students:

I differ from many of the other teachers offering music lessons
in a number of ways:

Playing and teaching are
two distinctly different crafts and I strive for excellence in both.

My passion for music is boundless and I am adept at motivating my students to achieve their personal musical goals whatever they may be.

I offer 1/2 hour or hour lessons in your Home or at my studio.

BFA - From Cincinnati Conservatory Music
• 20+ years experience

*** Studio Equipment ***
2 Drum sets, guitar, bass and ukulele, recording equipment to record your lessons if requested
 

*** Travel Equipment ***
GUITAR
If teaching Guitar i will provide my guitar but the student should have his/her own guitar.

UKULELE
I will provide my own Ukulele but the student should have his/her own Ukulele
.
BASS
I will provide my own Bass but the student should have his/her own Bass guitar.

DRUMS
Student must have a drum-set or snare drum to work on at their home.

PERCUSSION
Student must have some percussion instruments to learn on.

recording equipment to record you lessons if requested

*** Specialties ***
Drum: beginner - professional Guitar and Bass: beginner- intermediate

I can teach a variety of styles from Jazz to Metal to Bossa Nova and Cumbia. Ukulele Beginner-Intermediate I have been playing in many different bands both live and in the studio since the age of 14.

So I can cover a lot of ground when it comes to concepts and genres.

material when helpful), so students will only be learning what *they* need to be learning next, based on their unique blend of skill, experience, and curiosity. With that in mind, here are some topics on which we tend to focus.

Guitar Lessons:
-Proper Technique. (How to hold a pick. Proper ways to apply pressure to the strings with the left hand. Tension-free technique to prevent injury and strain.)
-Chord Formations. (Bar chords, Power chords, Open chords, Triads and inversions, CAGED system chords, Seventh chords, Advanced jazz voicing, Chords in alternate tuning.)
-Scales/Arpeggios. (Proper fingering to build technical skill. Three note per string scale forms. Conventional scale forms. Cross-fretboard patterns. Seeing arpeggios from different scale degrees. Pattern manipulation.)
-Reading Music. (One position reading. Multi-position reading. Sight reading practice. Understanding rhythmic variation. Ledger line studies. Dollahon 10th position method for sight reading.)
-Repertoire. (Songs in genre(s) of preference. Learning to play songs from favorite artists. Learn to accompany yourself if you sing.)
-Ear Training. (Hearing melodic phrases. Identifying chords. Transcription projects. Learning to "play by ear".)
-Rhythm Training. (Differentiate between different rhythms. Metronome work. Keeping solid time. Develop ability to clap/strum/pick a variety of rhythms with good time.)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two small jazz amplifiers, five guitars ranging from acoustic to electric to archtops, and an 88-key electric piano for music theory lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Two small jazz amplifiers and five guitars ranging from acoustic to electric to archtops.

a of Saint Augustine, Florida and at the Jacksonville School of Music in Jacksonville, Florida.

My teaching philosophy is simple - teach how to play the guitar, not just how to play the songs. I pride myself on being a positive and patient teacher, dedicated to his craft and to each student's success.