Benson, MD Music Performance Lessons

ience working with students as young as 3 and old as 85! Often multiple generations in a family study together making for a rich family experience.

Performance opportunities: Recitals, Concerts Cabarets and Musicals are a part of developing into a musician and singer and enhancing a love of music that will last a lifetime!

*** Lesson Details ***
Piano - Classical, Jazz, Blues and Improvisation. Current students are beginners to professional musicians and music teachers.

Voice – I am an accomplished vocal coach and songwriter and currently work with a wide variety of singers from young beginners to professionals who look to develop through ear training, singing and songwriting. In a unique way I guide people to become better performers and musicians through the combination of voice, piano and composition.

I work with students as young as 3 or 4 and into their 80’s. It’s important to begin with an excellent teacher from the start to set a good foundation and to have the ability to develop as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I enjoy working with beginners as well as accomplished musicians. I also believe that music is one of the great joys of life and that lessons should be FUN!

Besides a wide variety of performance opportunities through my Family to Family Concerts, I also offer my students the curriculum and exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, a gold standard music curriculum.. The ABRSM is accredited in over 100 countries worldwide and exams are offered twice per year in all instruments and voice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson room with grand piano, vocal mics, recording equipment. Parents can sit in on lessons and waiting area available, parking on street. No pets.

*** Travel Equipment ***
They will need a piano or keyboard

*** Specialties ***
A message from Robert: Hello, I am a master teacher focusing on the classical repertoire along with a very creative approach to improvisation and composition. I help students to achieve their interests of music rather than focusing on teaching one particular method. Classes are tailored to the student and constantly evolving. This has led me to work in a variety of mediums and styles including Jazz, improvisation, rock and blues. This approach also enhances an understanding and love of classical music.
I also guide my students in the curriculum and exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. (ABRSM) Exams are offered twice per year.
I have also found it inspiring to work with people with disabilities and help them find a way to express themselves musically. I give lectures and workshops in the area and around the country on improvisation and creativity along with concerts of my own music.
I also work with a number of students in vocal coaching and accompanying.
New this year are seminars in songwriting for adults and children. Groups of 4-5 collaborate on new songs. Film and video composition coming soon!

e, did you know that children who study a musical instrument learn responsibility and discipline, they gain pride in their accomplishments which in turn makes them confident, they learn to think in a logical manner, and they will perform better in school. These are just a few of the benefits children could gain through music lessons

My Specialties: My passion is classical music, however, I realize that the students'€™ interests are diverse, so, I teach pieces they request which include easy fun Pop Music, Hymns, Boogie, Rock, Country and other contemporary pieces.
My Education: At an early age, I took a great interest in music, so my older sister who is four years older than I taught me what she learned in her piano lessons. She also taught me music theory. At the age of 12-14 my parents sent me to private piano lessons. My piano teacher at that time eventually told me that I needed to find a new teacher because she had taught me all she knew. After that, I approached a well known Julliard Master in town. He took me on as a student after he heard me play the Beethoven'€™s Pathetique Sonata in C minor. I learned through Arthur Fiddler'€™s comment made in the newspaper that Mr. Chang, my teacher, in his opinion was the best piano teacher in Hawaii. Under Mr. Chang’s tutelage, I was exposed to a variety of classical pieces written by famous composers of the 15th to 18th centuries. At the age of 14, I made my first piano recital debut. My piano teacher was impressed with my talent and expressed his wish for me to pursue music and enter into Julliard. But, my parents being immigrants from Korea, did not think it was a good choice of career. So, I went into nursing instead, much to the consternation of my piano teacher. In 2001, I made a career change and found my passion for music revived again. I started teaching piano as well as taking Music Theory courses at a community college and taking lessons from a Julliard- Peabody master as well lessons from a Curtis Institute master. I continue taking piano lesson even now while I give piano lessons to beginner and intermediate students.
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*** Lesson Details ***
In my piano studio, besides just learning to actually play the piano, students will engage in flashcard drills, writing work, and other activities to strengthen their overall knowledge of music. This will prepare them well for continued study in piano, for playing other instruments or singing, and for enjoying music in general. As an incentive to practice, our studio awards each week piano dollars for the time each student practices during the week. At the end of the year, we have an auction that the children could participate in using their piano dollars to purchase items.

In first the lesson the concepts stressed include:
1. Hand position and posture at the piano.
2. Right hand , left hand, and how the fingers are numbered.
3. Direction on the keyboard
4. The pattern of keys on the key board

In the first year of piano study, the concepts covered are:
1. Theory: identify steps, skips, and repeats; write and recognize 2nd -5ths intervals; sharp and flat signs; identify key signatures
2. Rhythms: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and dotted notes.
3. Technique: correct hand position; curved fingers, down –up wrist for phrasing, legato/staccato touch, penta scales; major chords and voicing (balance of hands) 5-finger melodies; single line melodies divided between hands; note-against-note playing, some melody/chord playing.
4. Repertoire: A Dozen A Day by Edna-Mae Burmae Books; Five-finger melodies by Faber Faber; Famous & Fun Pop Books by Carol Matz ; Boogie, Rock & Country Level 1 by James Bastien; Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book Level One for adult beginners.

In addition to lessons each student is required to participate in an annual piano recital to give them experience and confidence in performance.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: grand piano, couches and chairs, parents can sit in on lesson

*** Specialties ***
To teach the skills in playing the piano, the classical genre is preferred in the repertoire.

and as a teacher, I understand that every student is a little bit different. Every student has different strengths and weaknesses. Every student has a different learning style. Every student has a different way of understanding things, a different way of processing information, and a different personality all together. It will be my job as a teacher to get to know each student individually and use my teaching methods to teach the student how to play the violin and help him or her to reach his or her goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid-back person. I am easy-going, enthusiastic about violin playing and about teaching and learning music, and I am very patient with my students as well. However, I am also very demanding. I explain and demonstrate objectives in a very precise way, and I demand a lot of detailed work from my students, inside and outside the lesson. I explain specifically what I want the student to do. By the end of every lesson, the student will have specific things to work on for next time. I expect each student to make practicing a habit, and practice regularly what has been discussed in the lesson. I try to make the lessons as pleasant and as laid-back as possible. But I become more firm, serious, and strict when a student either is not making an effort or does not practice enough outside the lesson.
I start students off with the Suzuki method. We work on techniques to hold the violin properly, hold the bow properly, and get a decent sound out of the violin, without too much physical tension. A student begins by learning to play by ear. After he or she is comfortable playing by ear, we associate the notes that the student hears and plays on the violin with written notes on a page.
We also work with the Paul Roland methods so that the student can learn the violin in a basic, rudimentary way. It involves a lot of repetitive patterns, back and forth motions that are slow and round, and avoiding excessive tension. This will give the student the tools that he or she needs to learn how to play the violin in a short period of time.
In three to six months, a student who is a beginner will be able to hold the violin and bow comfortably, create a decent sound on the violin, and play the Twinkle Variations, and maybe a few other songs.
If the student has played violin before, then in three to six months, he or she will have had some rehabilitation to get rid of tension and force, overcome some bad habits he or she may have developed, and review the fundamentals of violin playing. I will improve the student's approach to the violin, and by the end of the three to six months, he or she will have a better idea on how to practice and play the violin.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, seating for parents in the living room,

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide a stand.
I will expect the student to have a violin, rosin, and a pencil.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki Method- a starting point, particularly for kids, but for people of all ages. It is a good way to begin learning the violin by playing by ear, developing a strong, clear tone, and bringing out one's individuality through his/her musical development and his/her ability to be expressive.

In a matter of time, I want the student to get used to reading music, in addition to playing by ear. This can be done through the pieces in the Suzuki method or through other music.

Eventually, I take the student off of the Suzuki method and work with him or her on classical repertoire.

's important for a singer to not only know how to sing, but to also understand the music he or she is singing. I will incorporate music theory into the lessons, starting with basics such as learning how to read notes.

I believe in making sure the singer is comfortable and confident.  The environment you will be learning in is open and non-threatening because a singer needs a place to explore his or her voice.  I encourage my students to make mistakes and to keep the lines of communication as open as possible.  Singers are perfectionists, and we're constantly telling ourselves what we do wrong- we don't need someone else enforcing that negativity.

I concentrate on a classical vocal technique, with proper posture, efficient breathing, lack of facial and body tension, and healthy vocal production. I believe that it is important to have a strong foundation of healthy technique no matter what style of singing. My teaching style and lesson focus will be different for each individual person, and I'm very flexible in adapting to each singer's needs and personality.

I am a very understanding teacher, and very patient, but I will push you to work to your potential! What you put into these lessons and your practicing is what you will get out of it. I am not strict, but I do expect dedication, passion, and respect. I am a very enthusiastic and energetic teacher, and lessons with me will be fun, productive, and encouraging.

If I sound like the right teacher for you, please arrange a trial lesson to see how well we work together!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room, piano, full-length mirror, comfortable seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students. I specialize in classical singing- applicable to any style of singing!

y and excitement into each lesson as possible. Even if there are no signs of progress, the most important thing is to encourage the student because getting better at your instrument is exponential and will usually start off sluggish.

My first steps into getting to know the student better is to begin with having them choose a style of music that they like and play along with some of their favorite artists, in order for them to loosen up and get excited for learning. When I feel the student is fully comfortable and ready to begin our learning process, I will also have them play along with a style more complex, or out of their comfort zone, if you will. This establishes a sub conscious goal that they will want to reach every time they pick up their instrument which result in long-term commitment, respect and understanding of music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Before taking lessons with me, there are only 2 things you need to know:

.You are REQUIRED to express your creative side with 100% honesty, there will be no holding back in creativity in my classroom!

.Keep in my that though we want you to be as open as possible, I will often have strict guidelines for the benefit of your musicianship. It may seem like I may push you sometimes and it may seem to get boring and pointless.. but your musicianship will improvement exponentially with each lesson!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drums/Percussion:

.Roland TD-9 Electronic Drumset
.DW-4 piece Acoustic Drumset
.Pearl 6 piece Acoustic Drumset
.Bongos
.Remo Roto Toms

Audio Production:

.General DAW's (Audio Software)
.Komplete 8 Ultimate
.M-Audio M-Box Interface
.Ibanez Electric Guitar
.2 Acoustic Guitars
.Midi Controller/Interface
.Baby Blue Bottle Microphone
.2 KRK 6's Studio Monitors

w/ sound proof insulated room to amplify the clearest sound possible.

*** Specialties ***
My drumming personality derives from Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Metal, Rock, Electronic and Pop. I have extensive live performance experience in such genres.

want if your preferences change. As far as music teachers go, I'd like to think of myself as pretty laid back. I understand that most people have lives outside of music, so we'll go at a pace that is most comfortable for you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I combine the styles of music that you prefer with some kind of method book for reading and theory. No purchasing of music is required. Normal lessons start with the previously assigned material, determining what we need to work on, new material, and ending with things to do at home.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ample guitars, amps, chairs, and music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a music stand, tuner, metronome, and amplifier if necessary

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical methods - sight-reading, theory, and performance play an integral role in music.

state).

I also have an extensive professional and personal background in meditation (10 years), astrology (5 years) and healing (particularly Reiki, 4 years). I am very interested in the intersection between a healing/mindfulness-awareness approach and singing/playing piano.