Marriottsville Music Lessons

s and colleges. I am also a judge in the Young Artist Award in Maryland. In addition, I have received two White House awards for my performances at the White House, I am also a member of Psi Chi International Honor Society.

Music has been an important part of my life. It represents so much that is good in life and I do my best to communicate this to my students. I am training my students not just to be musicians but to love music for life.

*** Lesson Details ***
I treat each student as an individual since everyone is different. For some I might use a traditional approach, some just the Suzuki approach and others a combination of techniques. Whatever produces the best results. My goal is not to make strictly classical musicians but to train students to love music and carry this love throughout life. My repertoire consists of everything including traditional, Suzuki, Disney, Showtunes, etc. I have taken students to perform little concerts at the White House, schools, hospitals and concert halls to get the real feel of performing. I view lessons as a three way relationship between myself, the student and the parent so that the parent is not left out. I even have a small group called Musical Magic which incorporates magic into music. I feel I am laid back but am able to accomplish my goal through positive reinforcement. Every child or student wants to feel good about his/her playing. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible. If you want online lessons, please contact me through Take Lessons since I have additional availability to teach online. In the past six months my students have performed for the National Humane Society at their animal ball, a multi teacher recital on a local stage, and just two weeks ago seven of them performed at Strathmore. This summer I have two more concerts planned. Coming up will be an all instrument graduation with several other teachers where students receive medals for their performances. No student is required to perform but if they want to the opportunity is there. All students are required to have an instrument prior to beginning lessons. If students need to rent a violin, I will provide you with the name of a violin dealer that both rents and sells string instruments. Piano students must have a piano or keyboard.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I teach at home and have both a grand piano and electric keyboard in addition to a harp and violin.

*** Travel Equipment ***
When my students have to travel to perform, I make sure they have everything they need.

*** Specialties ***
Traditional and Suzuki approaches for both violin and piano. I also teach children with learning disabilities.and have extensive summer programs to help students with auditions for youth orchestras and school orchestras.

of all types, from rock and pop to big band to world music to orchestral to small combos and everything in between. In 2007, I embarked on a two and a half year gig with Princess Cruises as a show band drummer, and traveled the world on some of the world's most modern ships while performing on stage over 1000 times. From 2011 to 2013 I was the touring drummer for renowned Celtic/Gypsy/Americana band SCYTHIAN, a band which tours extensively and is known for their energetic live show. Other groups I have recently recorded and toured with include "Yall-ternative" fan favorites Mr. Fuzzy & The Barbarian and modern funk band The Royal Noise. In 2014 I relocated to College Park, MD and I love it!

*** Lesson Details ***
When we work together we will split lessons between the necessary mechanical aspects of the instrument and the more creative and spontaneous elements. At the beginning, I emphasize a relaxed technique and an efficiency of motion. Once this is established, we will explore the instrument through improvisation and other creativity exercises. Although drumming can be very technical, I never lose sight of the importance of groove, expression, and having fun while playing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio is complete with 2 drums sets, practice pads, computers, hand percussion instruments, and other instruments for accompaniment.

*** Specialties ***
I try to split lessons between the technical elements of drumming and the more creative aspects of the instrument. I feel that you can't have one without the other and teachers need to be mindful not to lean too much to one side. I also strive to give the students practical examples in their style of interest and encourage them to apply what they learn to actual musical situations as much as possible. I have had experience in pop/rock, jazz, show music, and many traditional world-music styles.

ate notes on the piano in relation to middle C

2) Being able to recognize notes on the staffs and play them in the correct locations on the piano

3) Scale theory- understanding how scales are constructed and being able to play at least 2 octaves of all 12 major scales with both hands at the same time

4) Chord theory- understanding how triads and eventually seventh chords are constructed

5) Sight reading- there is a "trick" to this, if you will, a way to go about approaching tunes that I've found makes them easier to digest

6) And for those interested, we can give the lessons a more Jazz-oriented approach (lessons would then more heavily emphasize scale and chord theory, syncopation, and learning Jazz standards)

Remember, we are all students. Instrument teachers, instructors, coaches (whatever you want to call them) do not represent an end to the learning process, but rather a continuation of it. We're all trying to improve, develop our craft, build up our chops, practice new and uncomfortable things, and expand upon our abilities of what we can do. I have heard from Jazz pianists in their 80s say that they are still learning, still trying to get better. I think that's an important thing to keep in mind as you begin this journey. The journey never ends, it just extends and continues. You'll never run out of new things to learn. The only thing you can strive for is to be the most competent you can be at your instrument. Your playing ability at any point along this journey is only a mere reflection of who you are at this moment in time. So make this moment the most meaningful it can be. The journey begins here.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Full Sized, Fully Weighted Electronic Keyboard in living room
Comfortable sitting area in waiting room for parents

*** Specialties ***
music, piano, jazz piano
Jazz

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ah performs with Potomac Winds, a Washington D.C. based ensemble currently in residence with the Talbot County Arts Council and Talbot County Public Schools presenting educational concerts combining student's history curriculum with music. She is a first year DMA in Oboe Performance at University of Maryland.