Reading the music and sight-singing for all levels

"To play wrong notes is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable." - Beethoven I was five years old when I discovered my singing voice. My youthful curiosity soon blossomed into a passion for musical expression through voice, violin, piano, and guitar. My mission is to share the musical exploration that has enriched my life by fostering my students' desires to express themselves through music. As a teacher, I focus equally on formal technique and artistic expression. Mastering correct form provides the foundation upon which a student’s capacity for the latter may grow. Techniques used during lessons are designed to develop a holistic understanding of music through aural, visual, and tactile cues. These include ear training, sight-reading, improvisation and using visualization to navigate the instrument. Progress is evaluated by developing a set of goals specific to each student. I find that allowing students input in originating goals facilitates a cooperative learning environment and allows me to tailor lessons to a student's interests, strengths and learning preferences. Providing students with a plan to succeed inspires a drive to learn and sense of achievement. I encourage students to play their instruments daily. Through consistent practice, students will benefit from increased discipline, patience, creativity and self-esteem. Students are rewarded with the chance to share what they've learned at recitals held biannually. For the duration of our lesson, my students are in a private, nurturing zone of free expression. Join me in an exploration of personal talent and creativity! Nicole has performed with the Rollins College Bach Festival Society Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. John V. Sinclair. She has also performed with the Florida Space Coast Philharmonic under the direction of Dr. Candler Schaffer. She is experienced as a session musician, recording vocals and violin at Wright Entertainment Group Studios (Justin Timberlake) with producer Will Baker (India Arie, Pink). She has performed as a soloist at the White House, Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, Amway Arena, and Hard Rock Live. Nicole holds Bachelor of Arts degrees (with honors) in Music and Anthropology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Rollins College. A member of the Honors Program (top 2%), and one of nine Cornell Scholars in her graduating class, she is very grateful to have been awarded a full academic scholarship. Nicole pursued concentrations in Violin and Vocal Performance, as well as Ethnomusicology. Nicole served as co-concertmaster of the Rollins College Orchestra and String Ensemble for three, consecutive years, under the direction of Dr. John V. Sinclair. She was featured at Christmas Vesper services in a solo performance of Winter (The Four Seasons) by Vivaldi, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel. Nicole has studied violin with Joni Roos and Alvaro Gomez, protege of David Oistrakh. She has performed as a soloist with the Rollins College Gospel and Concert Choirs and studied vocal pedagogy and performance with Dr. Edmund Leroy and Dr. Lori Lovell. At Rollins, Nicole studied piano with Dr. Gloria Cook and enjoys playing classical, jazz, and Latin styles. Nicole has studied classical guitar for seven years and especially enjoys playing Latin American folk music and flamenco. Nicole pursued her love of world music in publishing her senior honors thesis, “Cultural Fusion of Music Constructs: A Look at Hybrid World Styles,” analyzing the effects of globalization on traditional, ethnic musics. She has published research in the Rollins Undergraduate Research Journal, where she also served as Music and Anthropology Editor for three years.

While studying for my Doctorate of Musical Arts I was a graduate Assistant teaching Music Theory and Ear-training.

In this course, the students can expect to deepen their knowledge of music, which will help them to master instrument of their choice, understand structure of the compositions, and start composing their own music. Music theory and solfeo lessons provide structured approach to fundamental concepts musicians use to understand, analyze, and compose music. The elements that form harmony, melody, and rhythm are all covered in this course, as well as compositional elements such as song form, tempo, notes, chords, key signatures, intervals, scales, and more. Ear training and music dictation is an integrative part of the lessons. This course is recommended as a complimentary course to studying any instrument. To broaden your knowledge of music even further, please consider signing up for our "Ancient-to-Modern Music History" and "Ancient Harmonies “courses.

If you are ready to start taking your music skills SERIOUSLY then stop wasting time and money on teachers who don't fully understand the instrument or subject matter themselves. My name is Russ and I have been playing guitar professionally for 20 years and teaching music and producing records for over 15. I have a Platinum #1 Billboard charting record under my belt, worked with artists such as Mac Miller, Sean Kingston, Red Velvet, Lifehouse and more; and have composed music to 100s of your favorite TV shows! Feel free to browse my official website for a full list of credits. Want to learn to shred guitar? Produce beats? Write your own songs? Dive into theory? Record yourself? This page is the one stop shop. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions!

From note reading through writing a symphonic score or a movie soundtrack.

Coursework that explains the concepts of how music is structured, to include basic composition/improvisation techniques. I have over the past few years developed an interest in how to use basic music notation software and basic composition techniques

Learn about rhythm, harmony, melody, and dynamics in great detail. Music is often taught excessively by rote, and I feel it's very important to understand the logic behind everything just like you would in mathematics. So take that leap and explore the science of music.