Seminole, FL ESL Lessons

c, from San Francisco State University. By now, I am confident in working with whatever musical material students offer! Thank you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher, but I definitely expect students to practice what I suggest they practice. I advise that students use method books or sheet music of some sort, and I will certainly make notes for them and create materials they can learn from. I always teach based on the goals of the student and what type of music they enjoy, but I also like to guide the student in a direction I think would benefit them. I usually introduce music to play right away, conforming of course to the skill level and interest of the student. I now play seven-string guitar, which is just a six-string guitar (same tuning and technique) with an extra low string. It will be practical to aide students by accompanying with a bass range instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Guitar
I consider myself a Jazz musician, but I am happy to consider a very wide range of styles. I am focusing now on music of the Spanish Golden Age, 1500-1700.

g chords to follow most any style. I also enjoy teaching some music theory (the rules of music) in written, sight singing, and piano chords, if requested. Music theory along with voice and instrument lessons can provide a further understanding of each musical concept.

My training first began in elementary school, in Virginia Beach, VA, when I took my first group voice lessons and concert band classes as a beginning flutist. I continued my study with a large home school band in the 7th grade. I was then chosen to play the flute in an All City Band in Virginia Beach, for excellence in my performance skills. From there I continued my study at a private school in Virginia Beach with many chorus, band, and youth band classes to further my music reading and improvisational performance skills. At age eighteen I moved to Tampa, FL and became a Liberal Arts major with a concentration in Music at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). I graduated from HCC with an AA in Liberal Arts/Music. I was then accepted to further my music study at the University of South Florida (USF). I studied voice and a sampling of other instruments in the Music Education program. I graduated with two and one-half years of music education training and another four years of voice training with a BA in Music Studies. Also, during my college years I participated in the elite USF Chamber Singers, the University Singers, the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and many studio recitals. 

In 2013 I completed my fourth year of music teaching in a small private school in Tampa, FL. I have sang with Opera Tampa since their 2012-2013 season in the professional opera chorus for productions such as Carmen, The Magic Flute, and Madame Butterfly. I have continued to add new performance jobs with The Princeton Festival in Princeton, NJ (2014), St. Petersburg Opera in St Pete, FL , and the Tampa Spiritual Ensemble performing in the surrounding Tampa Bay areas. In addition, I continue my studies part time at the Patel Conservatory in downtown Tampa.  

I look forward to working with you to make all your music dreams come true! So, let's make beautiful music together very soon!  

*** Lesson Details ***
When taking lessons with me you can expect to learn in a very positive, encouraging, and laid back environment! I believe that learning is fun, very rewarding, and never stops. I plan to continue learning more about my craft for the rest of my life and I would encourage my students of all ages to adopt this mentality also. 

For voice lessons I like to begin with warm-ups and breathing exercises that can be modified to any style of songs. Then to song selections that will be enjoyable, yet helpful in making your voice better. For opera style I primarily use the G. Schirmer Opera Anthology books, and Hal Leonard published anthology series' for different art songs. For all other vocal styles I enjoy using various published individual-song sheet music or CDs and accompaniment tracks. Along the way giving all applicable tips for producing better sound, projection, breathing, phrasing, and musicality.

For flute lessons I would begin with scales or simple exercises. Then to specific pieces that you would want to work on or techniques from the Accent on Achievement or Standards of Excellence book series'.

For piano lessons I would begin with finger stretches, scale warm-ups and/or easy chords or pieces to get the fingers ready to practice. Then I would progress to your chosen pieces or a book from the Alfred or Bastien Piano Book series', which includes books for all levels and styles. 

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a keyboard for demos and use for students, a flute for demos, CDs, and some lesson books.

*** Specialties ***
Vocal: Up to advanced level Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, R&B, Pop, Gospel, Sight-reading
Flute: Up to Intermediate level Classical, Sight-reading
Piano: Beginner & Intermediate levels Classical, Chord Theory, Sight-reading

rience outside of class.

Hope to talk to you soon!

Mark

logistics, interviewing, and so much more. Critical thinking was an area that I pushed my business students to improve. Other students needed to work on the basics of grammar, reading, and writing, and we had a lot of fun in class, whether going through the interactive lesson or improvising by playing fun games to emphasize thinking on their feet in another language.

The feedback I often received from my Peruvian students, as well as my students in Mexico and the U.S., was that I made learning an enjoyable experience—they wanted to work harder to advance quickly in their classes. All of my students agree that I have a lot of patience and turn even the most challenging lessons into ones of positivity and encouragement. I provide critical feedback in the most constructive of ways that help the students reach conclusions on their own. I enjoy being there to support and guide their experience!

Before I left for Peru, I worked at St Vincent de Paul Village (part of Father Joe's Villages) in downtown San Diego. There I focused on Health Education. I built the Villages' first Health Education department and helped start its innovative Health & Wellness program. As part of these two programs, I taught homeless and low-income adults with and without learning disabilities, as well as children from preschoolers to high school students. Teaching such a wide variety of students how to improve their health while living in sometimes precarious situations without much income or stability pushed me to think creatively and come up with memorable ways to engage the students and help them apply what they had learned in their daily routine.

In high school, I took all AP and college prep classes. I went to a liberal arts college in Virginia where I focused on social studies and biology. I spent a few years training business people in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, InDesign, as well as presentation techniques. In grad school, I specialized in applied anthropology and public health. During that time, I tutored students in web design. In between, I've worked in Communications and Training in international health and development, so I have a lot of experience to bring to teaching.

Basically, I love teaching. I'm enthusiastic yet patient, and I absolutely adore helping kids and adults alike learn. It's such a sense of accomplishment when my students show off their terrific grades. I see the same look in my students’ eyes regardless of age—that pride that shines from within, that exuberant smile, like they can conquer anything. I want my students to keep that pride for a long, long time.

Right now, I'm writing two textbooks to be used in my Spanish classes. I've also written several academic articles published online. I love traveling, cats, and learning!

f this sounds like what you want, hope to hear from you soon.