Jefferson Valley Music Lessons

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

nt specific curriculum. The experience should be fun and educational for the student.
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Various openings 9am - 10pm
Prices are negotiable depending on location

I encourage students to take one or two lessons per week at a regularly scheduled time. References are available.

"Aidan has been teaching my 12-year old son guitar for the last year. He started with the basics in technique and later worked with him on music appreciation. My son really enjoyed his easy-going and attentive nature and attitude. Aidan was always punctual and respectful of our schedule. I feel my son learned a lot about music and he enjoyed working with Aidan."
-Carol L

ree, (B.A. Music - Conservatory of Music - Concentration: Studio Composition / Master's in Education - M.A.T. / Adolescence Education (Grades 5-12) 3.56 GPA).

I create all of the guitar lessons to meet each students individual needs that include lessons on theory, technique, rhythm, chords, scales, riffs, arpeggio's, songs, and exercises etc. I break down songs into easy digestible parts so students can learn a song in a logical and most manageable way. I use a color coded method to teach that I created that help students not only learn and understand scales and chords but also they are able to see visually how scales and chords are created. I currently teach private guitar lessons and have worked for 12 years in our local schools as a teacher with students K through 12. For 2 years, from 2012 to 2014 I taught an after-school enrichment guitar and songwriting class. I created the curriculum and music workbook specifically for 6 and 7-year old children whom I taught at Pequenakonck Elementary School in North Salem, NY. In College I won an award for the most Improved Studio Composition Student at Purchase College. I incorporate lessons that I have learned in the classroom as a teacher to help my guitar students learn. I feel the most important thing for my students to learn about music is to have a lot of fun.