Jacksonville Music 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.

e 5, I started playing the piano and went on to finishing Piano Pedagogy from Saint Louis Music Center and B.S. Mass Communications from Saint Louis University . My career as a music educator started when I taught piano at the Yamaha School of Music. Ten years of classical training me has helped me attain this rewarding career. As a child, I have had the opportunity to be a € performer and an accompanist to many choral groups in school. My musical experiences also include performing in Cafe Vasilici€, San Leandro, California, where I can play all styles especially classical music. The ability to sight read is just one of the many endowments I can teach. Others include, an impeccable love for music and a good ear for music.
Brenda showed talent and a keen interest in piano playing at an early age of 5. She underwent extensive and rigid musical training at the Saint Louis Music Center (an independent music school exclusively run by the Nuns of Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines) from the years 1972 to 1981. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Edna Maniquis, she learned how to effectively sight read any song, memorize her recital pieces and be very proficient in piano playing. In 1984, she continued to study with Mrs. Linda Lirag Reynado, a St. Paul's College Conservatory of Music graduate with a Major in Piano, Minor in Voice and who is the founder and owner of Baguio Music Studio, Philippines. In 1992 she finished a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Saint Louis University.
As a piano student in her early years, she had the opportunity to become a finale performer in her student recitals gaining recognition as the best performer in her class. Growing up, during her high school and college years, she was involved with accompanying singers or chorus groups on the piano and joining in competitions where she won several awards and distinctions. Her musical experiences include playing in front of an audience and performing all styles and especially classical music.
Her 16 years of classical training also helped her attain a teaching position at the Yamaha School of Music in the Philippines and a rewarding teaching career at the Florida Conservatory of Music in Jacksonville, Florida.

*** Lesson Details ***
Have you ever started playing piano but got stumped and frustrated with the theory? Then you've come to the right class. I will teach you the keyboard skills and fundamentals you will need to become a successful pianist. I will provide you a step-by-step explanation on how to play the piano. If you need help with the written theory and you want to learn more about how to read and write notes, all you need to do is to enroll in my class. My instruction includes activities that will help you use the musical alphabet to read and write notes on the staff, identify intervals, and write sharps and flats. Not only will I emphasize note reading but I will help you develop a keen intelligent understanding of the musical notes and alphabet. In no time you will be playing the piano or keyboard and most especially read and play any music as you appreciate it!

It takes time and effort to learn how to play the piano and not all are expected to become wizards at it. For the most part, students should practice the piano/keyboard more often than not and just keep up with the course requirements when enrolled in my class. It takes enthusiasm, interest and most of all perseverance to play the piano however, with me you will succeed and be driven to become a good and skilled pianist!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music room, seating room, piano, and keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
my keyboard

*** Specialties ***
All styles especially Classical.

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

on of the Dragon Workshop which was implemented in the North Florida school district. This week-long program allowed children to take part in the creation of a musical by artistically expressing themselves through music, painting, clay building, dance, and theater.