Gwynn Oak Music Lessons

chnical skills in either piano, voice (or a combination of both) and a strong musical foundation. Theory and Ear Training are fundamentals that are embedded in this approach to developing a complete musician and artist.

I have over 20 years experience 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!

one of the most sought after instructors & drummers of our time. My skill level and personalty has brought about major partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Vic Furth, Evans Drum Heads, Sabian Cymbals, JamTec USA, Urbann Boards and Kick Strap. I have performed with many Stellers & Grammy artist such as Richard Smallwood, Tamela Mann, Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark Cole, Isaiah D Thomas, American Idol contestants and Sunday Best contestants just to name a few. I currently play full time at the New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown in Baltimore MD where the congregation is over 10,000 members. I am very proud of the releasing of my latest DVD entitle "Piper's Time 2 Groove" & "Nothing Too Hard" video to inspire all musicians around the World. With the launching of Passionate Drumming & Music Lessons, I am dedicated to equipping all my students with the instructions for reaching students goals. I welcome all students any age, any skill level. Hope to have you as a new student very soon!

*** Lesson Details ***
My students will quickly learn the basics of drumming, including: stick control, technique, rhythms, drum fills, and licks. It does not matter if you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced drummer. The same time and effort will be exercised. We will have a fun and meaningful time playing, both by ear and by reading music. These lessons will really be hands on using teaching methods such as music books, DVD’s, and playing of my own. Students will have a great time also studying music theory, learning how to assemble the drum set, learning the parts of the drums, how to tune the drums, and how to accompany other musical instruments. After 3 to 6 months taking lessons, all students will be well on their way to a very successful musical career having had such fun and learning to play all different styles of music. My motto: Lets play Good, get Better, and be our Best!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Finished Studio: (3) drum sets, recording equipment, hand drums & instruments, seating for students & guest.

***Endorsers & Sponsors***
*Odery Drums
*RBimusic
*VicFirth Sticks-http://vicfirth.com/artist/Murray_Piper/
*Sabian Cymbals & Sabian Education Network
*StickTwirl
*Evans, D'Addario & Company, Inc.- http://www.daddario.com/education/murrayspiper
*NAMM Member
*Low Boy Beaters
*Urbann Boards
*SledgePad
*Kick Strap
*JamTec USA

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring snare and sticks. For the more advance lesson drum kit if one not provided. For the beginners sticks snare and if they already have a drum kit that is fine too.

*** Specialties ***
Gospel, Christian, jazz, blues, rock, R&B, pop, Latin, reggae, funk, shuffle

t to achieve. You also need a good teacher who understands how to take you where you want to go musically. I have taught hundreds of different students of all ages and abilities. I have seen many of them grow musically and gain confidence in other areas of their lives as a result. I aim to inspire every student to find their way to a rewarding life through music.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lesson plans are developed on an individual basis. I want you to learn the music that inspires your passion. If the guitar is new to you, the first lessons are devoted to basic playing skills and techniques. It is important to develop a strong understanding of music fundamentals to ensure that the student is attaining the skills they need to be a complete musician. I emphasize technique with drills designed to raise my students' skills evenly across a wide range of categories, like picking, fretting, scale patterns, chord shapes, rhythm training, and ear training. I have had success with many students using this approach and most are playing songs within a couple months. For the more serious student, music theory is an important tool to understand songwriting and music in general. I am always open to discuss what we do during a lesson. I believe it is my job to balance what you want to do with what you need to do in order to succeed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have amps, guitars, 1/4 inch cables, tuners, metronomes, paper and pens.
Would like students to have all these things but can accommodate based on need.

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Pop, Blues, Country, flat-picking, finger-style

h school. I also have festival experience. I have been a student at Brevard Music Center, Heifetz International Music Institute, BayView Music Festival, and I was a Teaching Fellow at Interlochen Arts Camp. Through my experiences both as a student 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.

ing bands, small jazz and rock/pop groups and with big bands. I have been singing with the Mood Swings Big Band for 6+ years. During that time, we have performed at the White House, the Chamber of Commerce and in Kennebunkport, Maine (at the Bush estate).

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.