Fort George G Meade, MD Piano 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!

ing what I was learning in chorus. My piano lessons helped grasp the theory behind music and gave me a good ear for pitches.

I studied voice at the University of Maryland College Park School of Music. In their chorus I had the pleasure of learning and performing many wonderful pieces such as Verdi's Requiem and St. Matthew's Passion. During that time I had chance of playing with the University Jazz Band as both their pianist and as their jazz singer. I even arranged my own version of Too Darn Hot by Cole Porter that was performed by the band in 2007.

I also work a lot with musical theatre. I've been in a number of shows in Maryland including Rent and Hairspray, and Into the Woods. I also free lance as a music director in the area. I've been a music director for 10 years and I love every minute of it. My music director credits include Children of Eden, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Annie, Grease, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, And the World Goes Round, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Wizard of Oz, Jekyll & Hyde for which I was nominated for Outstanding Musical Direction in 2011 and Ragtime for which I was named one of the "Best of 2013: Favorite Musical Direction" by DC Metro Arts and won WATCH Award for Outstanding Musical Direction.

I believe that to get as good as you want to be, of course you have to work at it, but there's no reason that you can't enjoy learning it.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be able to teach you soon.
Mayumi G.

*** Lesson Details ***
Practice makes perfunk. This is a saying that was always hanging on my band teacher's door in high school. It was a reminder that it requires work to get something right, but you need to take breaks and relax a bit too. That's how I feel about teaching in general. Constantly working and being worried about getting it just right can lead to bad habits. So I make sure that the lesson is balanced between a relaxed atmosphere and an effective working environment.

I can teach a variety of styles. But I like to always make sure that the fundamentals of singing are solid regardless of whether you want to sing classical or jazz or pop. So I go into:
Proper techniques for breathing
Creating good tonal sounds
Diction
learning to sing like a musician-it is easy to forget that the vocal cords are another style of instrument

I believe that singers have a greater advantage if they are able to read music and understand theory. I believe that it makes learning music by oneself much easier as well. So I also have the option to go into basic music theory (i.e. reading music notation and rhythms) to advance music theory(i.e. roman numeral analysis, ear training, harmonic progression) if you choose to do so.

For intro to piano, I follow the same structure as beginning singers and also start with the fundamental basics that will help lead into whatever style you wish to play:
How to read music
Understanding basic music theory
how to play what you read
Finger strengthening

For both piano and singing: After some basic training, I start to give a variety of different style songs to work with. I do encourage student to bring songs they want to learn and tailor lessons around that particular song and style. I like them to learn 2 songs per lesson increasing to 3 or 4 depending on the pace of the student and the amount of workload they feel they are able to handle.

I do believe that listening to music is part of the learning process so every few weeks or so I like to give the student 1 or 2 YouTube clips I found and have them watch it then come in the next week and we discuss the video both good and bad and what they can learn from it.

As they progress the songs get more difficult and we start really honing in on the techniques of the production of sound as well as performance aesthetics, as in how to create a presence on stage, how to project the sound more, overall how to give a good performance.

Some of my past students would use the lesson time to learn about auditioning for musicals and stage productions. If the student has any such desire all they have to do is ask and I will set aside time to work on how to audition for shows and what most music directors look for when they hear you sing. For those who don'€™t, I like to give the option to give a recital if the student feels comfortable to do so. It would be held in a local studio, very casual affair just to give the student that experience of music as a performing art.

Note: I do teach at my home. I do have pets, a dog and a cat. If this is an issue, I can also travel to the student home.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music room with keyboard and office equipment. Seating for parents.

**She has a cat, and a mid size dog**

*** Travel Equipment ***
Teaching piano: I own a weighted keyboard suitable for instruction.
Teaching voice: I can accompany the student as they sing

*** Specialties ***
In piano I tend to teach classical, but I do move away from that after they've grasped the basic technique and theory to how to sight read and improvise, even play by ear.

In voice, I start with basic classical technique and after they've grasped the fundamentals of good vocal production, branch out into different styles of music from straight classical/opera to Broadway to jazz to pop and r&b.

ute directed by Deborah Kent. She is also a soloist of Baltimore Choral Arts Society under the conductor Tom Hall and was recently featured in a televised concert, where she sang Mozart’s Allelujah.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons occur in my living room with a beautiful baby grand piano. A waiting area is available for parents.

*** Specialties ***
Breathing Management (Talking and Singing)
Music Theory
Classical Singing
Presentation of yourself

methods are placed firmly in the true Italian traditions of bel canto, due to her extensive experience and knowledge in various styles, she has her own unique approach to all legitimate styles of singing that is beyond comparison, nor can her teaching style be matched.

She has a phenomenal ear and knows what to listen for and then how to direct students during the process.

Christine is a dramatic soprano and is very confident and experienced with large instruments (that are more difficult to train for various reasons). Having an extremely rare and large voice herself has given her invaluable insight toward fully understanding all other voice types and the discipline necessary to achieve efficient technique.

Many teachers can be limited in their view and teach "their technique" as opposed to helping the student develop their own technique and what works best for them.

Developing technique in a complete and effective way leads toward discovering the full capacity of our instrument without compromise or compensation.

Students should expect to learn how to use breath direction that continues to connect and blend registers, modification of placement that creates cover, internal space with an open throat and sustained low larynx by using efficient breath and support from the body.

Her methods in vocal intonation translate directly and indirectly into all styles of legitimate singing, which she coaches many varying styles and will direct student toward appropriate rep. Students will learn the full potential of their instrument under her guidance. It is her belief that technique should lead toward one sounding natural, no matter the style.

Christine offers very traditional based vocal lessons with a focus on improving technique through practical exercises and song rep designed for each student's unique vocal needs. She will offer necessary guidance and adjustments to ensure the student's continuous development.

Her goal is for her vocal students to discover their authentic voice and to find freedom in their technique and most importantly their expression as artists.

Christine is also a highly sought out piano instructor for her ability to establish an exceptional foundation in beginning piano students and those who wish to continue their studies and build upon the fundamentals. She specializes in reading skills and excellent technique.

It is her belief that having a solid foundation sets the tone for determining if a student will continue with their studies and therefore this is the most vital part of a student's development and future progress.

She teaches Russian technique, which allows for flexibility, strength and tonal beauty of musical lines. This technique can be applied to all styles of playing piano such as pop, jazz and is not limited to just the classical repertoire.

Her goal is for all of her music students to become increasingly independent as musicians to where they feel confident to teach themselves and others and to ultimately find enjoyment in the process of learning music.

Her approach helps students advance their technique, reading proficiency, including music theory and expand their artistic capabilities.

She received her music education in classical vocal performance from George Mason University and has vigiourously continued her studies in opera with Mrs. Fabiana Bravo, who studied with Luciano Pavarotti and Renata Scotto. Christine specializes in Italian for classical rep.

General styles I coach:
Opera (bel canto and verismo) classical, sacred, hymnal, traditional, jazz, r&b, folk, among other popular styles.

Christine also has an international recording career as an adult contemporary artist.

Voice lessons begin at age 14-55 and piano at age 6-any age. Please no inquires about exceptions on age or travel, I will not respond. I teach from my home only, regardless of distance. I am worth waiting for and traveling to:)

What do I expect from students who are applying:

Those who are hard working, motivated, passionate, dedicated, responsible, considerate, humble and serious about lessons and greatly improving as musicians should apply only!

I strongly believe that music is a discipline and this is how it will be approached during lessons.

I am looking for potential long term students who are willing and ready to work hard in a practical and realistic manner, regardless of age, learning needs or proficiency.

I have limited availability and I am only seeking serious students who have a positive professional attitude and will value me as a teacher. Thank you.

ng directly with you to individualize piano and music lessons to suit your learning style and goals!