Clarkdale, GA Piano Lessons

llection on Blue Canoe Records. Music from that release can be found in both film and TV .

Buzz continues writing and producing for various artists as well as composing music for independent film.

The future holds a 2018 release of new music entitled, Muse Cafe along with a book ("Repeat Offender") related to his career as a record producer and touring artist.

*** Lesson Details ***
My approach to teaching is simple. The primary goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience of making and creating music. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in music or just wanting to add a bit of a creative outlet to your life, let me help.

My specialties include jazz, r&b, and pop piano styles. I do teach a little classical but primarily to beginners only. My curriculum is simple. I try to teach you what it is YOU want to know and that which fit your needs. There are some fundamentals that we all must learn, but typically I can have you playing a song your first lesson. As you progress, you will be able to learn to play songs on your own and interpret simple chord charts with melody.

For those students who already actively play, I can help hone your skills, offer performance, recording and studio tips and techniques.

90 and 120 min lessons are only offered to those students wishing to learn production and do NOT apply to piano lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Your lessons are given in my pre-production studio in my condo. Lessons take place on an upright piano. If you are taking production classes, then see the list of gear below. My space is tidy but not always immaculate. I am a working musician and often have several projects juggling at once. There is room for 2 to 3 in addition to the student. My living room is always available and wi-fi for those who wait on a student is also available. More than ample parking is available at any time.

Buzz uses Cubase 9.5 recording software
Sibelius 8 Notation Software
Chickering Upright Piano
Yamaha KX8
M-Audio Pro Keys 88
Casio Privia
Roland V-Synth
full array of VST instrument & effect plug-ins for commercial recording (Waves, Spectrasonics, Kontakt 5, etc)

*** Specialties ***
adult, beginner, child, jazz, r&b, pop, EDM,modern, film scoring, sequencing, notation

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.

Gospel, R&B, Jazz to Hip Hop. "I am well versed in Music Theory and Sight reading. "

*** Lesson Details ***
You expect to have loads of fun in my state-of-the-art recording and teaching facility. there's never a dull moment. The student is constantly moving from computers instructional programs to acoustic instruments and synthesizers. We teach the full range of musical styles from POP, Gospel, Jazz and R&B and some lite classics too.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Waiting room, teaching studio, piano, teaching studio seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I have a fully equipped state of the art digital recording and teaching facility in my home. My two car garage area has been professionally convert and treated for sound. I employ full use of the available music high tech equipment and learning programs including MUSIC ACE, Seth Riggs's The art of speech Level singing. i have both acoustic piano and an array of electric keyboards and virtual instruments stored in my IMAC 24 computer.

tudents can expect to have fun while still incorporating discipline. All students will learn different styles and techniques from various styles of music to expand their musical talents and knowledge. Even if your focus is classical music, you can still expect to learn some jazz, pop, etc. Students can also expect to work on breathing exercises, diction, basic piano, basic guitar, sight reading, ear training, proper singing techniques as well as the anatomy of the throat. After a few months students will see tremendous improvements in the areas mentioned above as well as gain more confidence, individuality, creativity, adoration for the art and be able to execute their vocal instrument efficiently and beautifully!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have voice books for soprano singers, a piano, and a guitar. I require students to provide their own voice books (if I require them for your particular session), a notebook, and a recording device.

*** Specialties ***
Classical-Spirituals, Opera, Romantic, Baroque, etc.
Contemporary
R&B
Reggae
Gospel
Country
Rock
Pop

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 the late Elizabeth Nohe Colson 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:
30-minutes for beginning adults and elementary students up to 5th grade. 45-minutes for intermediate adults and students 5th to 8th grade. 60-minute lessons for more advanced students high school and up.

TEACHING STYLE AND CURRICULUM:
ALL: My teaching style is relaxed and nurturing I use positive reinforcement to encourage progress with adults and children. Students are allowed to progress at their own pace.

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. 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 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

w music thoroughly, not just to “play.” I desire my students to comprehend elements of the score, to use their bodies effectively to make good sound, and to interpret music creatively and according to historical performance practices across all genres of music. Thus, I give students a purposeful education in technique, quality literature, performance and artistry, music theory, and music history.

Although students differ in ability and development, I maintain high expectations for our students. I expect attention and respect in lessons, faithful and diligent practice, careful adherence to instructions, and an “I’ll-do-my-best” attitude. If students regularly meet these expectations, then they will excel to the level that they are able. It is my joy to help students master their music, to do the best they can, and to strive for and achieve excellence.

Lastly, I want students to enjoy and appreciate their instrument, music, and music-making; and I know as as a teacher, I am very influential in making this happen. Students develop enjoyment of music by understanding music, experiencing success in music, being exposed to good and varied genres of music, and receiving instruction from a teacher who is enthusiastic and encouraging. It is my goal to provide all of these opportunities for students, and as a result their lives will be enriched as they enjoy their instrument.

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.

with me as the instructor were like . Hopefully we can make the connection for a great music learning experience. I have had a recent background check and everything is A-OK.
Alexander (Alex) C. aka Mr. C