Atlanta, GA Music Theory Lessons

in an ensemble to have the opportunity to play and listen to other moving parts.

*** Specialties ***
music, bass guitar, bassoon, children's music, guitar, classical guitar, electric guitar, home recording, African drum, music theory, acoustic guitar, flute, oboe, trumpet, saxophone, tuba, songwriting, french horn, trombone, clarinet, recording school, piano
My method utilizes maracas and rhythm guitar, played Simultaneously to produce a full ensemble effect.

Funk, R&B, Country, etc.

tronic keyboard, in the lessons.
Bass Guitar: I teach rock, pop, funk, and country music on bass.
Banjo: I teach bluegrass, country, and some blues and rock music. I can also teach a bit of old-timey frailing/clawhammer style.
English and Reading: I am highly qualified, to tutor/teach English (spoken, written, and reading comprehension) to both native English speakers and to those learning it as a second language.
*** I am particularly good at working with children who have a.d.h.d. and other learning disabilities!

a lot of structure and others prefer a looser approach and I am quite comfortable teaching both ways. If the student maintains a consistent practice regimen, they should be able to play songs from the radio within 3 or 4 months.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room with an amp, keyboard, computer, desk, parents can sit on couch in a separate room

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my student to provide their instrument (including amp if necessary) and any instructional materials required.

*** Specialties ***
I have had a lot of experience teaching beginning and intermediate students with method books, and have used them to teach reading, theory, technique, and repertoire. Most often, I take a slightly looser approach which I feel allows me to mold my teaching to fit the individual student's needs

enuinely defined the young professional, what lures many to her, and why she remotely continues to build her influential empire as a true business lady.

In 2007, LadySonya, a Georgia Peach native from Columbus, Georgia, and transfer student from Troy University to Georgia State University, began her life shift of miserably working 2-3 part-time jobs to prosper through college. In less than one year of living in Atlanta, LadySonya quit her part-time job as stock for Ross Department Store and decided to follow her dreams of being in the music industry. With no money saved, nothing but a Radio-Shack 76-key keyboard, and one year of college experience, she decided to start her own business of teaching piano lessons. She found a contracted job to teach at Tarang School of Music & Arts, Suwanee, Georgia, and began to make her infamous mark. LadySonya also found various online sites to assist with marketing her newly established company.
Many supporters on social media such as face book & twitter began to take notice of LadySonya's swift entrepreneurial progression and in May of 2009 LadySonya held her 1st annual Spring Recital for LadySonya Music Studio Company. The event inspired 75+ guests. Once the company began to bloom more she began to hold recitals twice a year, one in May and the other in December, filling the venue with up to 150+ guest per show. In 2011, LadySonya decided to take her name to the next level by writing her life story testimony of how she went through 7 part-times jobs in one year span along with almost giving up everything to move back to Columbus. During the summer months of 2011 LadySonya organized her very own Network (iNetworkDoYou) to help aspiring entrepreneur/music industry by encouraging them to gain valuable information to help them along the way.

Often mistaken for a fashion model, LadySonya is a celebrity piano instructor, with a lively girl next door attitude. However anyone views her, this young lady is establishing her brand as a music mogul, exercising her inner power to become highly successful.

It is dedication, drive, and determination that lead the role-model LadySonya to reach out to her numerous supporters and fans by creating an Annual Vision Board Extravaganza (2012) to empower others to reach follow their dreams, annually host two music recitals for the students to grow out of being shy musicians, create Lady University Movement to mentor young & older ladies desiring to be leaders, and assemble frequently as a motivational speaker and panelist as a entrepreneur inspirational expert.

Shut Up and Drive is the mental note that pushed LadySonya to the next level to be more than a piano teacher, but a business lady with ongoing dreams of being the next Oprah, with a diva attitude as Beyonce, and musician skills of Alicia Keys. She works day in and day out to build her empire of being a role model- I am LadySonya.

With strong family & spiritual backbone, LadySonya believes her ultimate purpose in life is to indeed inspire others to stay focused. Her alter-ego LadySonya is known to give you that extra boost of confidence and internal drive to set goals and achieve them. However you view LadySonya, as a musician, artist, entrepreneur, model or even social networker, know that she is on top of her business/brand and she's working hard to touch lives like never before with making her dreams come to reality.

Credits:

I started piano lessons at age 9.

Graduated from Shaw High School Honors in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Served Vice-President of Tri-M Music Honor society my junior year and President my Senior year. I also was involved in the Gospel Choir, Advanced Chorus, and won 3rd Place in the Girls Trio.

Troy University Troy, Alabama Aug 2005- Dec 2006 Major:Music Industry I was involved in the Music Program. I studied Music Theory 1,2,3, Class Piano 1 and 2, Aural Skills (learning to hear music) Private Piano, Private Voice, Intro to Music Industry and Music History. I was involved in the Collegiate Choir, Gospel Choir which sung at Rosa Park funeral and museum.I was also a lead singer and also was involved in the Plays. I was also inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Society for freshmen whose GPA scored 3.5 or higher their first year of college.

Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia 2007- currently Music Management I am currently pursing my degree.

Past Musician Duties:

Serving as director and musician for Youth and Gospel Choirs.

Smith Grove A.M.E Church in Columbus,Georgia 2001-2005
Allen Temple A.M.E Church in Columbus, Georgia 2002-2002
Cools Springs Baptist Church in Pittsview. Alabama 2004-2005
Mount Bethal A.M.E Church in Cussetta,Georgia 2005-2006
Mount Gilead A.M.E Church in Fortson,Georgia 2002-2011

*** Lesson Details ***
What students can expect from the lesson is "learning".

I am a very relaxed, fun, and motivated teacher. I teach everything from classical to gospel to country to pop music. One thing you will find out from my lessons are you are "learning" rather than "memorizing". Lessons are structured to the students needs. I put my all into the lesson to the last minute or maybe run a minute over but at the end I know I've done my job!

I like to make it fun, so I encourage students to bring in music they would like to learn even if I have to simplify it a bit!

I also try to teach different tricks to learn the theory.

Call today... You will be glad you did!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Logic 9, M-Audio Midi Controller 88- key

*** Specialties ***
Read Sheet Music
Play by Ear (Music Theory)
Ear- training skills
Chord Progressions
Scales/Chords

Pop, R&B, Gospel, Classical, Country, Contemporary Neo-Soul...

erhaps you are someone interested in pursuing an ability to play a certain style - pop, jazz, hymns, oldies, classics, or certain artists. I customize our lessons to match your objectives.
My students have an opportunity to perform publicly several times a year which encourages practice and also builds confidence. After a few lessons, I can provide an idea of where a student will be in 3-6 months. You can always expect to find me prepared with fun ideas for our lesson. I have a grand piano as well as several keyboards to add variety and fun to our lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
home-grand piano in living room seating for parents
church- digital piano and seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would bring my own violin to demonstrate but would expect students to have their own instrument.

*** Specialties ***
For piano, I use Faber & Faber, Alfred, Bastien and Music for Little Mozarts. I include sight reading books, rhythm workbooks, improv studies, and later scales and arpeggios. For violin I have created my own hybrid using traditional methods and Suzuki.

n of the voice for singing and speaking. Her goal is to help singers gain fulfillment and joy while improving their art. She believes music should be fun and rewarding.

VOICE STUDENTS of hers have won university placement and scholarships and have been accepted into Allstate Chorus for High School in Georgia.

She also teaches PIANO. She has taught piano for about 10 years. She studied piano privately for 10 years and had further study at Indiana University.

Students wishing to have any COMBINATION of piano, music theory, sight reading and/or vocal development can receive a program of study that meets their individual needs.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE:
Mary Frances has performed with the Southeastern Savoyards Light Opera Company, the Atlanta Opera Chorus and Studio, the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Marietta Theater in the Square, and Neighborhood Playhouse. She has sung title roles in Patience, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. Other roles include Josephine in HMS Pinafore, the Princess in The Student Prince, and Connie in The 1940'™s Radio Hour.

She has performed many roles with Capitol City Opera Company (CCOC) including Annina in The Saint of Bleecker Street, Bastienne in Mozart's Bastien and Bastienne, Nora in Vaughan Williams' Rider's to the Sea, and Gilda in Milton Granger'™s Talk Opera. She sang for many years in CCOC's school outreach program. She has sung many concerts for CCOC as well.

Mary Frances was a soloist in Handel's Messiah for Peachtree Presbyterian Church. She has worked as the soloist at The First Church of Christ Scientist in Roswell, Georgia and at The Second Church of Christ Scientist in Sandy Springs, Georgia ( This church has now closed). She occasionally directs and sings in the choir, and substitutes for the cantorial soloist at Congregation Dor Tamid in Alpharetta, Georgia.

EDUCATION:
Mary Frances holds a bachelors degree from Indiana University School of Music in both Voice and Theater. Mary Frances was a long time student of Elizabeth Colson (now deceased) of Atlanta, Georgia. She has attended Brevard Music Center, The Georgia State Opera Workshop and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. While in Graz, Mary Frances was a finalist in the Meistersinger competition.

*LESSON DETAILS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LESSON LENGTH:
Voice students: 30 minutes for young students up to 5th grade. 45 minutes for young students in Middle School and some 5th graders. 45 or 60 minutes preferred for high school students and adults. Piano students: 30 minutes for most beginners of any age. 45 minutes for young intermediate level and adult students.

TEACHING STYLE AND CURRICULUM:
ALL: My teaching style is relaxed yet progressive. I use positive reinforcement to encourage progress with adults and children. Students are allowed to progress at their own pace which varies with age, coordination, processing speed and previous exposure to musical education.

PIANO: I prefer the Alfred'™s Basic Piano Library series for my piano students. I find that my students learn more music theory and music reading with this series. If the student has started lessons in a different series, I can work with that as well. I have a large music library that provides a wide selection of music in addition to the Alfred books. I expect most beginning students to learn basic music reading and theory in 3 to 6 months. They should also to be able to play simple tunes in that time. I am an active professional singer, so I have a large library of vocal material at my disposal.

All piano students are REQUIRED to have an instrument to practice on at home. The piano MUST HAVE AT MINIMUM:
IF Digital - 88 full sized, weighted keys with polyphonic sound ( at least 10 keys should be able to sound at at the same time) and a sustain pedal,
OR - If Accoustic - maintained and properly tuned.

VOICE: I begin my voice lessons with breathing techniques and vocal placement using widely accepted exercises coming from a large body of sources such as:
Vaccai, professional level vocal teachers, coaches and directors that I have worked with and learned from over the last 30 years, and the writings of highly acclaimed authors in the vocal field. I also have a wide selection of art song books, oratorio, musical theatre, and opera. My background is classical and musical theatre, but I believe all styles of singing need the basic skills of breathing and vocal placement. I strive to keep voices healthy as well as find each student's most beautiful sound. Most students will see progress in breath control, range, projection and diction in 3 to 6 months.

Repertoire is chosen on an individual basis depending both physical and musical ability. Younger students and beginners will be encouraged to not push their voices with material that is too difficult for their individual abilities because singing requires a certain amount of physical endurance. My goal is to find each student's natural sound without strain for whatever style he or she
sings.

Voice students are encouraged to bring a recording device to lessons to use for later practice and study.

STUDIO EQUIPMENT AND LIBRARY:
Piano, Computer with Internet Access, Library of Music and Reference Materials (Sample Listing): Alfred's Basic Piano Library Books Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias, Medium High and Medium Low Voice; Schirmer Sing at First Sight; Alfred Basics of Singing by Jan Schmidt; Schirmer Many Soprano Collections of Arias, Oratorio, Sacred, and Art Songs from Schirmer Several Broadway Music Collections from Hal Leonard Discover Your Voice by Oren Brown Training the Speaking Voice by Virgil Anderson International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers by Wall Dynamics of the Singing Voice by Meribeth Bunch Classical Singer Magazine Subscription Journal of Singing, The Official Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing,Inc.Subscription

SPECIALTIES:
I am classically trained bel canto voice teacher, but I can work with broadway and pop styles. I teach sight singing for students pursuing auditions for All State Chorus and College entrance, etc. I use the Alfred Basic Piano Series for Piano students

e many musicians at the beginner intermediate and advanced levels of training. His practical systematic and thorough teaching method allows students to develop quickly and rise to their full potential. Retiring from military music recently Ray is busy working on various recording projects and freelancing as a pianist/keyboardist teaching private lessons and providing music media services in the greater Atlanta area.

MY PERFORMANCE:
As a performing artist Ray has worked as a professional musician for the last 25 years performing around the world in more than 20 different countries with various ensembles. He has recorded on numerous albums with various artists to include the Army Ground Forces Band, Orquesta Sensacional, and most recently with the Ian Charleton Big Band (Brain Chatter Album available on Spotify). Ray is fluent and proficient in many different styles and genres of music. Specializing in jazz and Latin styles he is truly a master improviser and soloist. Ray's style of playing is influenced by artist like Herbie Hancock Chic Corea Oscar Peterson and Thelonious Monk. Ray has also performed and,or recorded with some of the most accomplished musicians from around the world to include Grover Washington Jr., Hillary Jones, Gerald Chavis, Roy Richardson, Gary Harris, Don Tillman, Brett Anderson, Corey Cross, Alfie Moss, Abdu Salim, Joel Joyner, Dexter Whitaker, Jim Lambie, Jamie Abersold, and Wayne Bergeron just to name a few. He has also had the distinguished honor to perform for former presidents Ronald Regan and George Bush. Ray aspires to be the consummate musician.

FOR BEGINNER PIANO STUDENTS:
For students just starting out I use the Leila Fletcher Piano series, John Thompson, or Alfred series. After students are doing establish the basic and are doing well I introduce music theory and technique (scales, basic chords, and technical exercises) as well.

FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVEL STUDENTS:
I define intermediate level students as students who already have had 2 yo 4 years of lessons and experience and can already play pretty well. With this level of student I work on strengthening their foundation and rounding out and diversifying their skill set. usually with this level of student they have specific goals in mind that we work towards as well.

The intermediate level is also where various piano and music styles are addressed to include classical, pop, rock, R&B, country, blues, jazz (modern & swing) and Latin, contemporary christian, and gospel. The technical aspects of playing these styles like chords, chord progressions, scales, modes, licks and ornaments,technical exercises, sight reading, lead sheet interpretation, music theory, ear training, playing by ear, song form, and improvisation, intros & endings, and performance concepts and techniques are addressed as well.

OVERVIEW:
Overall my students that apply themselves usually progress quickly and exponentially. some of them have went on to be professional musicians and band leaders and have far surpassed their initial intended goals and objectives.

DeKalb Counties. I have adjudicated for the Georgia Music Educators Association as well as taught sectionals and marching band camps for area schools.