Fleming Island, FL Music Theory Lessons

the east coast, I found my life's work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've successfully taught hundreds of different students since 2003, 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.

Having both taught myself piano and received formal training at a conservatory has prepared me to teach almost anyone 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 rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I recently (2014) studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

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

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide an acoustic guitar to bring to both voice and guitar lessons. I expect my piano students to have a piano, an organ or a keyboard.

***Home Studio Equipment***
In my home studio, my students will have access to an acoustic guitar, an electronic keyboard, an acoustic piano and PC audio recording.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical, country, pop and musical theater singing, classical and pop/rock/chordal style piano, and sightreading, including solfege syllables. I enjoy using Estelle Liebling as my voice method and Hanon for piano technique. My education includes coursework in jazz and pop theory and songwriting from both Westminster Choir College and the Berklee College. Teaching special needs individuals is also one of my specialties, and one that I highly enjoy. I've been trained in Meisner technique, and have experience in both theater acting and musical theater.

able experiences and knowledge with my students.

anslated from Papiamentu into English.
Although my music background is classical, I play and teach popular music, which I appreciate.
Just to mention a few famous guitarists who's styles appeal to me: Carlos Santana, George Benson, Paco de Lucia, Julian Bream.
I also teach electrical and acoustic guitar, bass-guitar, piano/keyboard, ukulele, Venezuelan & PR cuatro, songwriting and music theory.
Music is an International language; a way to express inner feelings!
And Teaching it, is my passion!

*** Lesson Details ***
Studying with me will be more than moments of instruction and learning.
In addition to acquiring musical knowledge and technical skills, each class is really a musical experience.
The dynamic during class is focused on making music and in having fun, developing new technical skills and reaching your goals!
The Students will be constantly experimenting with various aspects of music: the Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm. I will be at all moments musically accompanying the student, developing his or her musical hearing pitch, musical aesthetic values, creativity, and artistic expression.
I offer quality Music Lessons!

*** Studio Equipment ***
A Studio equipped with comfortable chairs, desk, keyboards, guitars, white board, music stands, amplifier,
Parents can sit in on lessons

*** Specialties ***
Classial, Popular and Latin Music

**Cancellations**
All lessons must be cancelled with at least 24 hours notice, without exception

love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Maybe you want to sound like [insert piano player here]. Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Music lasts a lifetime. I know that’s a terrible cliché, but it’s true, and few other skills can claim that. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it, and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the longer you do it, the faster you get… or something like that. There’s a legitimate analogy in there somewhere.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

ery patient with students and want to see you reach your goals. Let's start today!!!

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.