Kailua Music Lessons

ng programs such as Paper Mill Playhouse and AMDA Summer Conservatories

Both voice and piano lessons are based on a foundation of healthy technique while incorporating musicianship skills and encouraging the student to develop their own creativity. I am experienced in teaching many genres and styles including Broadway/musical theater, classical/opera, pop, rock, R&B, country, and folk. I encourage my students to explore new styles and apply good technique to any style they may choose to sing or play.

I love helping my students prepare for auditions. As an active performer myself I have auditioned many, MANY times for different organizations, and I have also been on "the other side of the table" and I know what qualities audition panels are looking for. Let me help you show your best qualities at your audition!

As a member of both NATS (National Association for Teachers of Singing) and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) I am constantly working to improve my teaching skills by keeping up with the latest pedagogical research. I love sharing new tips and techniques with my students!

I strive to create a lesson environment that is open and honest, where my students are never afraid to ask questions or try something new. I am always happy to explain concepts in a different way and I encourage improvisation and creativity in addition to healthy technique and strong musicianship.

If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to send me a message by clicking “Ask Barbee a Question” at the top of the page.

In-studio equipment: Yamaha P-115 digital piano with 3-pedal unit and bench, music stands, large library of scores and anthologies for repertoire exploration

Please note that you MUST have an acoustic or digital piano with weighted keys for in-home piano lessons. You MUST have a piano or keyboard for in-home voice lessons. If you are looking to purchase an instrument I am happy to provide recommendations.

Please note that students are expected to purchase all music, curriculum, and other materials as appropriate.

veled to China as the concertmaster of KSU Symphony Orchestra for a three-concert tour that included a performance at the Central Conservatory in Beijing. In 2012 I moved to Chicago to pursue my Graduate Degree in Violin Performance at DePaul University School of Music. I served as the concertmaster of DePaul University Symphony Orchestra and was very lucky to learn from some great world-class musicians and professors. I never stopped teaching, even while being in school I had 20+ students I was teaching full time. I love to teach because it gives me great joy to share my passion with other people.

After my husband got a job with the Navy Fleet Band, we moved to Hawaii. If you are looking for experienced, patient teacher for your child or for yourself, I am a perfect match. Please read the reviews my former students/parents were kind to leave on my profile.

*** Lesson Details ***
I conduct my lessons in a friendly and non-stressful way. I am a very patient and enthusiastic person. If the student has a willingness to learn, I make sure that I do everything to capitalize on that and help them to reach their highest potential.
I structure my lessons to be very organized so we do not lose any time. I always give 100% of my energy in every lesson. I try to make the lesson interesting so it never gets boring for the student by teaching technical aspects and fundamentals as well as exploring a wide variety of styles and genres of music.
I require all of my students to practice at home. Practice is essential in making music. If the student does not practice he or she is not going to learn as fast and it will take a while to improve in their playing.
I do not teach all of my students the same way. I try to find different approaches for every student in order to accommodate their level of playing and their needs. I believe that there is no one perfect method to teach a student. I usually combine traditional and Suzuki methods. I construct the lesson based on what student needs to work on to improve as well as what student wants to learn. I always talk to the student to make sure that we have set the same goals, because I believe that it is important to be on the same page with the student.
I also do not have any age limits for my students. I believe that children of a very young age are very observant and open minded. I can start teaching a child as early as 4 years old. I also believe that it is never too late to start learning to play an instrument.

***Cancellation policy***
I understand that emergencies happen. Please be kind enough to contact me as soon as you know that you won't be able to make it to the lesson so we can reschedule or cancel without you being charged for it.
If you cancel your lesson less than an hour before its scheduled time, the lesson will be counted as attended. If the lesson is canceled at least an hour before its scheduled time, it will be rescheduled or cancelled without it being counted as attended.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living room studio set up, chair/couch for seating, driveway parking.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to have an instrument, a music stand and a willingness to learn. I provide some teaching materials, but it might be necessary for you to purchase one or two music books.

*** Specialties ***
Traditional and Suzuki methods.

y Rock", Gilmore Girls", "Law and Order" and others. Her goal in working with her students is not only to teach healthy vocal technique, but in keeping with her theatre background, her strong belief that "Every song is a scene or monoglogue" leads her to make sure the student know what they are singing or speaking about, and can do so with a clarity of emotion and dramatic intent.
She has a BA in theatre/voice from the University of Kansas where she serves on the Advisory Board For the Department of Theatre and Film and has an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she is a guest lecturer. She is a member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA, AGMA and The Dramatists Guild.
"Mary is able to reach not only those students who are already excited about theater but inspire those who have no previous knowledge of it. To watch these young men and women become more and more accomplished is a marvelous thing. She inspired them all."...Mark St. Germain, Obie winning playwright.

*** Lesson Details ***
In a one hour lesson, we will spend twenty five minutes on vocal exercises designed to teach support and placement. Having performed leads on and Off Broadway, I know that without good technique you can't do eight shows a week, do back to back sets in a nightclub or cabaret or tour as a pop or rock singer. The second half of the lesson is spent on songs. As an acting as well as vocal coach, I focus on dramatics as well as musical interpretation. A singer must be connected to the words as well as the music. I hope to teach you to love singing as much as I do.

*** Studio Equipment ***
casio keyboard, speakers, desk, extensive library of scripts and sheet music, internet

*** Specialties ***
pop and musical theatre singing
college and theatre auditions/monologues and song performance

ion and programming.

As a composer, she studied with Robert Frank, Mark Dal Porto and attended masterclasses with Donald Erb, Wynton Marsalis and Samuel Adler to name a few. Her compositions have been performed in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida. A commissioned composer, her Dualities for Clarinet, Brass Ensemble, Electronics and Percussion; Fantasia pour Cor; Feline Romp for solo clarinet; works performed in the classical idiom.Plains of Lhasa and Tearing were composed in the electro-acoustic medium. She is a member of ASCAP, TMEA, TODA, ASTA, and self publishes. She has performed internationally and in addition to her professional schedule, taught music technology related courses and music theory as an adjunct professor at Collin College, Spring Creek Campus and maintains an active private teaching studio in Dallas and Clute, Texas; along with her duties as a faculty member in the music department at Brazosport College and former Head Director of the orchestra program at Brazosport High School and its feeder school system.

as Narzerath House, Bay View, Bella Vista, Monte Vista Village, and La Mesa Health Care Center, as well as making In-Home visits. I also have experience playing therapeutic music at over 20 facilities in Oahu, Hawaii, where I currently reside. These include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities! I also have experience playing for the actively dying for hospice and consider it an honor to be of musical assistance for people in transition.

I love to teach and can make my harp and voice lessons unique to each individual based on their current skill level. I love watching people expand and grow through music. Your lessons will be engaging, compassionate, fun, and organized! Each lesson will encourage you to become excited about your musical growth and inspire you to continue. I offer something unusual for a harp teacher in that I can teach both improvisation and music theory for the harp. This means that you will get the best of both worlds!

I also have obtained education from the Self-Heal School of Herbal Studies here in San Diego, where I have learned about herbal medicine. I am well versed in many alternative therapies (such as E.F.T., mindfulness meditation, therapeutic music, Ayurvedic medicine, amino acid therapy, etc.) and can provide compassion, understanding, and strategies for alleviating suffering as a Life Coach. My education towards my Master's degree in Psychology also helps me increase my understanding of the human condition and offer additional support for anxiety, depression, addiction, and other stresses. I believe that everyone deserves to live a life of freedom, safety, comfort, and relaxation. I hope to provide loving assistance for anyone seeking someone who cares and will put in the time to truly listen and provide helpful feedback.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please let me know how I can be of service to you!

c Music & Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice Hawaii and the Director of Music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Honolulu.

WHAT DO I TEACH?
I teach piano, organ, and voice.
*Piano: All levels from beginning to professional
*Organ: All levels from beginning to professional
*Voice: Beginning and those working with music theater

WHERE DO I TEACH?
*Piano: In Mililani, St Peter’s Episcopal, and online
*Organ: St. Peter’s Episcopal and possibly online
*Voice: St. Peter’s Episcopal (no online voice lessons)
NOTE: Parents are welcomed to attend the lessons!
In fact, I encourage that!!

WHAT IS MY STYLE OF TEACHING?
Every student is different and what works for one may not work with another. It's important for me to know my students so I can better shape the lesson. I love questions, reflection, and even humor. I'm also very patient and understanding. We are all very busy and accept that students may have weeks they can't practice a huge amount of time. As long as some progress is made at lessons, all is well!

entiated Learning teaching techniques.

My experience as an intercultural and international musician, and as a teacher enables me to collaborate with people from varying backgrounds.

I strive to tailor each student's experience. Facilitating progression and learning at the individual level.

Throughout my teaching career, my focus has been centered around cultivating the students’ interest by awakening a sense of music appreciation while teaching them the technical skills of playing an instrument.

Apart from teaching, I have been a performer for 12 years with various orchestras. And now you can see me play with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in Oahu, where I live and teach.

I am looking forward to bringing the joy of music into your life!