Defiance Music Lessons

tial scholarship to the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and relocated to NYC shortly after graduating.

Her unique music, performances, art and internet videos have won many awards and critical acclaim.

She has performed her music and written segments and songs for television (including ABC’s “Good Morning America”, MTV’s “I Bet You Will”, Fox News “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld”, IFC's "Comedy Music Hall of Fame", HGTV's Flea Market Flip, TBS’s “Saving Grace” website and “The Tyra Banks Show”), radio (including "The Dr. Demento Show", "The Jackie Martling Show", WFMU's "Spreading Yourself Thin with Jessica D" and “The Opie and Anthony Radio Show” on SiriusXM, BBC’s “Loose Ends Radio Programme” and BBC’s “The Simone Show” in the UK), feature films (including “What Would Jesus Buy?” directed by Morgan Spurlock), commercially for major clients and also on stages across the US and the UK (including London’s prestigious Soho Theatre, NYC’s Irving Plaza, Joe’s Pub and The Bowery Ballroom as John Waters’ opening act, and LA’s Troubadour).

*** Lesson Details ***
Jessica brings a lot of fun to her lessons. She is like a cool aunt or a big sister who likes to have a good time but who also wants to teach you to play guitar or ukulele and sing, hopefully at the same time. Jessica's laid back style and attention to your needs as a student will help you reach your goals, whatever they may be. Together, you will go as fast or as slow as is comfortable for you. Jessica works with classic rock, pop, folk and all your favorite songs as your step ladder for learning. Jessica also can help you develop your own musical style and teach you to write YOUR OWN SONGS from beginning to end, if that is of interest to you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
amp, microphone, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar and Ukulele. Students can rent instruments initially but must get their own, as soon as possible

*** Specialties ***
Classic stringed instruments such as acoustic / electric guitar and ukulele, and several unusual instruments such as singing saw and electronic and standard autoharp, singing, songwriting and guidance on how to monetize your band, including acquiring sponsorships and arranging local and international tours.

***What Are Lessons Like?***
Student(s) and teacher sit together and start with the basics, then move on to learn others' songs (The Beatles or other classics are a good place to start) and then may even try to compose original songs, if that is of interest.

***Affiliations***
Women In Music
ASCAP
The Recording Academy, Associate Member
Comedy Musician's Coalition

40 students per week. I decided to move forward and take my musical experience with me to San Diego, where I currently teach, write, record, and perform my music with others who have similar goals and aspirations. I love playing in as many bands as possible. The main one I play in is called Quel Bordel. Some of the bands I've played in have given me the opportunity to perform with local and big named artists such as D.J. Artistic, Gary Wilson of Stones Throw Records, The Aristocrats, Terry Bozzio, Alan Holdsworth, and Tony Levin. As a full time musician and performer, I'm typically out gigging anywhere from 2-5 a week. As a teacher, I'm here to help you with where you want to be with guitar. Whether it's rock, pop, funk, hip hop, reggae, jazz, blues, indie, folk, and country, I can help you with the technical and theoretical side of things.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal- To get you to become better than me. I find myself as an easy going teacher, and can provide that push when I see students getting more engaged in their lessons. I typically teach out of two main books, and it's optional for students to have their own copy of my recommended method books. I emphasize heavy chord vocabulary and steady rhythm. I believe that in order to be a good lead player, you would have to be a great rhythm player. As we develop technique, you can expect me to incorporate theory as to maintain an even share of the HOW's and WHY's. Moreover, expect to DO something with our lessons. Repetition is the mother of learning, and sometimes it comes down to the idea of 'monkey see, monkey do' before we can have in depth conversations about the application of your lessons in real situations. To me, music is very creative. So I'm a big believer on improvisation with both chords and scales. I believe in practical application when learning the songs you want to learn. So every student will have a unique way of learning the fundamentals only necessary to their personal goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two small practice amps, cables, method books (personal copies), extra picks, extra guitar, music stand, blank sheet music/tabs for notes, extra strings, music stand, metronome, tuner

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music stand, extra guitar (if needed), blank staff/tab paper, tuner, metronome, battery powered amp, cables, extra strings (if needed), picks

*** Specialties ***
I primarily use Hal Leonard method books for beginners when it comes to reading and basic technique. For those who want to learn at the intermediate/advance level, I use the book called Jazz and Pop Guitar (chords and progressions) and Scales and Modes in the Beginning which can cover all aspects of chord theory and improvisation. I model my curriculum off of my prior lesson plans from my teachers ( based off of Berklee and GIT) My genres specialize in rock, funk, jazz, indie rock, folk, country, blues, pop

al Music Teachers (CAPMT), and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

*** Lesson Details ***
Good technique, styling, and musicianship are VERY important but you have got to have FUN learning and performing! I channel and encourage each student'€™s creativity while helping them to learn to use their gifts as expertly as possible. My students can be seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on television, in commercials, in the movies, and in professional regional theatre throughout the United States. I have proudly seen many of my students go on to pursue higher education and careers in music, theatre, and dance.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio/Office: desk, piano, mirrors, sound system, chairs, extensive collection of sheet music and arts related books.

Parents can sit in on lessons.

*** Specialties ***

Voice: Speech Level Singing, Broadway music, Popular music, Classical, Speaking
Piano: Classical, Improv, Harmonization, Songwritting
Acting: Theatrical acting, Acting for the camera, Voice over, Comedy, Improvisation
Other: Conducting, Ear Training, Performance Coaching, Audition Coaching, Music Theory

from Latin, classical, blues, all the way to heavy metal. I have a lot of on stage experience that has served me well, and my mission is to give back the inspiration that has been my love for music.

*** Lesson Details ***
The most important thing with any instrument is that you're enjoying what your doing. If you're not having fun with guitar, then you're probably not going to stick with it. I teach beginning to advanced guitar and my students really enjoy the lesson plans. My lessons vary from student to student depending on what they want to accomplish, and what they need to succeed. After the student reaches a certain level I get them to play with other musicians. Sometimes I'll bring in my drummer and hop on the bass so the student can get the feel of playing with a full band! I expect a lot from students and they seem to have no problem delivering,

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio- includes amps, guitars and recording equipment. Custom built computer designed for studio use. Pre-sonus Firepods. Focusrite Sapphire pro 26. Ton's of pedals. Pro Tools 10 Professional

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have backup amps and guitars just in case. I bring all the materials for the lesson plans to the student's home.

*** Specialties ***
classical, rumba, metal, classic rock, hard rock, shred, Brazilian, fusion, blues, and most Latin styles.

ation of California (MTAC), Southern California Junior Bach Festival, The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program, and AP Music Theory.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am an extremely patient teacher with experience teaching students ages 3-84 at various levels. I use a variety of curricula since each lesson is tailored specifically to each student.

*** Studio Equipment ***
1) Yamaha Clavinova CLP-555 fully-weighted 88-key Digital Mini-Grand Piano, 3) Gemeinhardt Flute, 4) Studio copies of all method books used, sheet music and materials used during lessons,

*** Travel Equipment ***
Gemeinhardt Flute, method books and materials needed during lessons,

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical music, but also teach jazz/pop/Broadway/Sacred styles. I am familiar with and use various different methods including but not limited to Faber: Piano Adventures, Keys for the Kingdom, Bastien Basics, and Suzuki. Each lesson is tailored toward the individual student's needs.

ng the ropes young, and I could never be more thankful for it. This band eventually changed names to “The River City Rumblers” and in the year of 2010 we appeared on national Australian Television on the show “Australia’s Got Talent”. It was really an amazing experience and exposed me to not only a huge audience, but the music industry itself. I continued to pursue my musical passions for years to come, this included teaching. I began teaching guitar to young students (around 8 years and up) with one on one lessons. I taught out of my home in the lounge room at first, then out of a studio that we eventually built. I also had the opportunity to teach young groups in a classroom environment at a local school. I would teach groups of 3-5 kids ranging from ages 6-12, split up into age groups. I moved around Australia a little to tried and break into the music industry, then moved back home, studied, until life brought me my husband and now I am in the USA. Somewhere along the line though, adulthood got in the way. I lost music for a while, and got caught up in the 9-5 jam. I have decided it is time to put my passion first. I absolutely adore teaching. It is so very rewarding to me and I hold it very dear to my heart. Combine it with music, and I am living the dream! I would love the chance to share that with you or whomever you may be reading this for. Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to meeting my future students!