Clinton, PA Songwriting Lessons

joy teaching and want to help you explore your hidden talents and reach your fullest potential. With that in mind, the learning environment in my studio is relaxed and fun. I never condescend or put pressure on a student who makes mistakes. I encourage students to try new techniques and make mistakes along the way. I also work very closely with my students to achieve their own personal goals. I know that there are many different types of learners who all have different aspirations and I feel it is my job to ensure that my students are satisfied with their progress. I understand that someone hoping to attend a conservatory will have different needs than a small child. I promise to give nothing less than the highest quality teaching in an environment conducive to learning.

For piano students, I will spend much time on proper technique and making sure the student does not compromise the wrist, fingers, arms, or back which may create discomfort later. In the first 3-6 months a student can expect to learn technique, repertoire, and basic musicianship skills such as sight reading and transposition.

Composition/ Songwriting students will be coached according to what their specific goals and interests are. I incorporate the technical aspects of writing music along with music business which will help students get their music played and recorded.

Music theory students will practice skills such as four part writing, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation, modulation, roman numeral analysis, sight singing, and score analysis.

I do encourage the use of specific curricula but I am always willing to explore something new if you have a preference or have found success with something else. I hope that music will give my students lifelong enjoyment and I encourage you to come make music with me.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Aeolian Baby Grand Piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect piano students to have their own piano but beginning students can start out on a keyboard if need be. Also, students are responsible for purchasing all books and materials for lessons.

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25
lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.I specialize in classical piano in all eras from baroque through twenty-first century music. I also am trained in various compositional styles including baroque through twentieth century harmony as well as jazz, pop, and songwriting.

usic and Dance in 1999, and I studied jazz guitar with international guitarist/violinist Art Johnson and theory with David Ward-Steinman. From the time I graduated, I have been playing professionally and recorded five releases of my own as well as made appearances on others and have toured the country several times playing my own original music. My bands have opened and/or toured with the likes of Dee Dee Ramone, Blink 182, Green Day, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Jimmy Eat World, Ten Foot Pole, Big Drill Car, and Leeland. I also play for Day 7 and Revival Christian Fellowship where I shared a stage with Greg Laurie, Franklin Graham, Raul Reis, and Jon Courson.

*** Lesson Details ***
I have been teaching music for over 10 years. I love my lessons to be laid back, light, yet focused. The lessons are tailored for the students needs/levels. For the beginning student we start from the basics. for example, tuning, vocabulary on the parts of the guitar, to basic chord shapes and strum patterns. Almost from the beginning, I introduce music theory to the student. I believe it is important to the musician, because music is a language that is spoken through the instrument and also read by the musician. Not just piano or band instruments, but guitar too! Guitarist always seem to get left behind in this. I teach it hand in hand with the guitar and it comes naturally while learning. Some students want to learn songs and/or to write songs. This is what I have been doing for many years and enjoy it! As the student progresses, I love to pull the creativity out of the students. Music is also art and a passage for the individual to express him/herself. It is a joy to see and help a musician to mature on the instrument!

*** Studio Equipment ***
amps, cables, tuner.

*** Specialties ***
Songwriting, Music Theory, Performance, Technique, Learning Songs

ygen, TBS and more), commercials for Coca-Cola, Samsung and in video games.

In 2015, I signed a major label publishing deal with Fieldhouse Music/BMG played throughout Europe (and taught online lessons while away). Since 2016, I have released 3 singles and 2 EPs, for my own projects. I am currently endorsed by PRS guitars, Elixir Strings, & Godin Guitars/Bass Guitars.

I teach my clients in my creative and comfortable home teaching studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I work with Vocalists/Singers, guitarists/bassists, pianists & songwriters/producers/composers in a wide age range, assorted skill levels with a variety of musical goals.

Some of the musical styles I regularly teach: Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Metal, Hard Rock, Punk, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Blues, Funk, Soul, Classical, Folk.

I'm highly experienced as an online (Skype, Facetime and G+) instructor, teaching online lessons worldwide for the past 4 years to students who reside locally, nationally and even internationally.

*** Lesson Details ***
My students gain expertise in the following techniques and more...

Voice:

∙ proper breathing & breath support
∙ vocal placement / resonance
∙ diction
∙ vowels and proper modification techniques
∙ bridging registers & 'the high note'
∙ mixed voice
∙ vibrato
∙ vocal health/maintaining your voice
∙ touring, recording, performing
∙ screaming
∙ rhythmic singing
∙ writing songs/melodies/lyrics to suit your vocal strengths

Lead and Rhythm Guitar:

Chord voicing: triads, four note open/closed chord voicing, chord melodies, comping, strumming, finger-style, standard grooves in various styles.
Step-by-step approach to soloing/improvisation: major & minor scales & modes & arpeggios, triads, blues/pentatonic scales and "licks". phrasing & line development over simple & sophisticated harmonic changes.

Techniques including:
Alternate/sweep & tremolo picking, hybrid picking, slide guitar, hammer on/pull offs, (up to 8 finger) tapping, bending and whammy techniques, diagonal scale, arpeggios & note groupings and 4 finger scales.

Bass Guitar:

Right hand:
finger style, pick &
slapping/popping
Groove, rhythms and playing time
Time signatures, walking bass lines,
arpeggios, double stops,
chords & improvising
Writing bass lines.

**All of my students learn:

Sight reading (standard notation/tablature)
Music Theory & Ear Training
Rhythm / Timing (including reading rhythms)
Composition/songwriting

We will focus 1/2 of the lesson on repertoire and 1/2 the lesson on technique. Many of my students text/email me a few days prior to our scheduled lesson with a song selection for the week. I focus our lesson's technical study with the song in mind. It has proven to be very effective and makes the technique and theory are less "boring."

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have (7) guitars: including (4) electric, (2) acoustic/electric, & (3) electric bass
(2) tube guitar amplifiers, and various guitar effects pedals.

(1) full-size 88-key MIDI keyboard, (1) 61-key USB keyboard controller, and (1) Arturia MINILAB MIDI controller.

Also, I have an assortment of industry standard dynamic & condenser microphones for live performance and recording applications.

DAW recording software (Pro Tools 12.x, Logic 10.x, Ableton Live)
software synthesizers by Arturia, Fabfilter, Native Instruments, Spectrasonics, Steven Slate, Toontrack and more. I use plugin effects by Izotope, Fabfilter, Plugin Alliance and Universal Audio and Waves for many of my lessons and recording projects.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a guitar, videos, music recording, music workbooks and everything else a student may need... I prefer for students to print chord/fretboard & staff paper and bring to their lessons... Although I can do it if they can't... Students should just bring a list of songs they wish to learn to our lessons and a desire to learn

*** Specialties ***

Rock, Pop, Indie/Alternative, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Metal, Punk, EDM / Dance / Electronica, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, Classical and more….I am fluent in the latest recording technology, songwriting/composition, performance coaching, career development. I will help you to find your unique voice, a polished and distinct sound, and your true personality as an artist.

I will recharge your passion for music and making music.

, and Steve Mortier.

Melody has been a professional musician, vocalist, and actress since she was 16 years old. She began her career in musical theatre and graduated to film and television, starring in the independent hit "Down and Out with the Dolls." Her rolls in theatrical productions include Ti Moune in Once on This Island, Rizzo in Grease and numerable others. She has enjoyed a career as a professional vocalist performing in nightclubs, music festivals, casino's, and as an opening act for many national and touring performers. As a teacher, Melody draws from her experiences on the road, in front of the camera, and in the studio. She currently holds a Bachelor's of Music Degree from San Diego State University's Don Powell school of Music and Dance, and is a Certified SLS Vocal Technique Instructor. She teaches all ages, from young children to seasoned adults.

Personal Message: "Learning how to sing is fun!! It is also a lot of work. =) My goal for each student in every lesson is that they EXPERIENCE something new and better when it comes to vocal technique, and that they EXPERIENCE what I like to call the "happy music feeling." The perfect hybrid is when vocal technique is no longer an issue, and singing songs becomes effortless, joyful, and ripe for self expression and passion. This does not happen overnight, but with practice, dedication, and a patient impatience that keeps the student striving for perfection while simultaneously enjoying the process.

I teach all ages and I don't require an audition like many other highly trained teachers. I understand that you are coming to me to learn HOW to sing, and this is why I love beginners so much! I have spent many years studying to become the best voice teacher I can because I find teaching others the joy of singing incredibly rewarding. I understand the demands of a rigorous performance schedule, and I love the opportunity to help fine tune a working singer's vocal technique. Whether you are a beginner, a professional, or somewhere in between, I can teach you to sing higher, stronger, and faster with more ease than you probably thought possible. I look forward to working with you and your voice!"

Here are some nice things people have said about her:

"A rock chanteuse with a bold attitude and a set of seductive, versatile pipes. . "
-Anthony Davis Texarkana Gazette

The Forum Newsweekly
"Melody stands poised to take the national stage with a unique style and dynamic performing presence."

The Shreveport times
"She sat in for a set at the Noble Savage Tavern and as soon as she hit
that first chord and that first note, everybody stopped talking and
faces were pointed to the stage."

Dan Garner
Tipitina's

The Shreveport Times
"Whether she's playing solo shows or gigs with her band, [Melody] has a
keen ability to translate her emotions about dreams lost and chased
into bluesy, heartfelt, tumultuous vocals."

Michael Pickett
"Hey Melody! Thanks so much for jumping into the 2007 Lake Roosevelt
Musicfest. You were a huge hit up here!! The mayor was sitting around
with some of her volunteers and told me 'we think Melody takes
the prize this year'. It was just a great addition the event and you
made me look really good by just knocking everybody out like that! "

Personal thank you letter from Michael Pickett, promoter of annual Musicfest in Marcus, Washington.

*** Lesson Details ***

SKYPE LESSONS: Since I moved to Pennsylvania from San Diego, I have begun taking all of my lessons from Seth Riggs via Skype. I also maintained almost my entire San Diego student base by teaching via Skype, and in addition starting accepting students from all over the country and the world. I now have a very busy studio with an over 70% Skype student base due to the high demand for SLS technique and a balanced approach to singing instruction.
My youngest Skype student is 4 years old, and I recently held my first Skype Student integrated recital where online students performed live on a big screen from the comfort of their own homes! I'm constantly thinking of new ways to engage students from all corners of the world, create an online studio community, and offer performance and learning opportunities. Skype lessons are a great option for those without access to good vocal technique instructors or those who have tight schedules and prefer not to battle traffic on the way to the voice studio.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard, piano, microphone,
Guitars.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Will travel for:
Studio coaching for artist recording.

*** Specialties ***
Voice: I teach pop, musical theatre, Jazz, rock and blues styles.