
Barbara M.

Teaching Locations:

About Barbara M.
Music has been an integral part of my world, playing a major role in both my personal and professional life. I embrace the chance to be immersed in it, to share my enthusiasm for and expertise in the area of the music education experience, promoting creative development and student performance skills.
I am an original New Yorker but have lived in Virginia Beach for the past 20 years. I began studying piano at the age of 7 and have not stopped playing since. It is a gift and a joy to be able to share my love of music performance with people of all ages and abilities. I have also sung in many choirs in addition to performing professionally on the piano and the guitar, both as a soloist and ensemble member.
I rejoice in the success that I see in my students as they learn and gain an appreciation for the gift of music. They become more and more eager to share and more and more open to the possibilities ahead.
*** Lesson Details ***
I listen well to my students. They are free and encouraged to express their goals and soon, they become more and more comfortable doing so. They begin to understand that even though I am their instructor, we are working as a team and that my goals for them are directly tied to the goals they have set for themselves.
My teaching style is natural, relaxed and yet, very enthusiastic, all at the same time. I have patience in abundance and my continual student affirmation is well received. I give most attention to personalizing instruction for each of my students. My passion for musical expression is contagious and readily shared. It is a joy to teach music, to contribute to the growth and delight that I witness through a student's progress.
I have taught music to both children and adults, from beginner to advanced levels. My teaching approach remains the same, save for the goals that suit the specific student, which we discover early on, sometimes even at the first session, together, right from the start. I DO ask that a parent sit in on the lesson for my under age 10 students, at the beginning for sure, then at the child/parent's discretion. My beginning students receive the attention necessary to encourage their desire to persevere, which includes positive feedback (which is abundant) and a teaching style that fits his/her level of learning. My student's success is my goal. This is my jubilant mission.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, guitars, Ukulele
*** Travel Equipment ***
I own 4 guitars, 1 classical, 2 acoustic/electric, and 1 electric, which I can provide for the lesson, if necessary.
I own a Baldwin Acrasonic piano.
The students will need to buy their books.
*** Specialties ***
Methods: Clear presentation of the instrument and the most comfortable way to achieve the best playing results. Emphasis on Theory including chords and improvisation.
Styles: From Classical to Broadway to Folk to Rock to Jazz to Blues.
Genres: All
Reviews
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Barbara is an excellent teacher. She is very encouraging and positive. She makes the process fun by focusing on learning songs and allowing the student to pick the songs the student wants to learn. We focus on the basics--playing the right chords, singing on key and choosing a strumming pattern that fits the song. In the several months we have been working together I have found that I have improved dramatically in all three areas. Previously, on my own I had a great deal of trouble making progress. In addition to learning to play the guitar she has helped me tremendously with singing, which I never thought I could do at all. I have really enjoyed the experience.

Excellent teacher!
Great instructor!

Barbara is a fantastic instructor. I took lessons as a child into my mid teens and quit. I recently decided to start back up. With 20+ years gap in my instruction, I was nervous about finding an instructor who could keep up with me. I knew I could still easily play music but would have LOTS of questions in the interim that I theoretically would have known otherwise playing the given level of music.
Barbara has been a PERFECT fit for what I was looking for in an instructor. She’s been helping me refine my skills and fill in many gaps in my instruction. She’s been wonderfully supportive and encouraging. I’ve felt my confidence grow tremendously over the last month. I can truly sense that she’s as excited to be teaching as I am to be learning.
I HIGHLY recommend Barb, especially to adults looking to rekindle a long lost love of piano<3

Well it was just my first lesson so far. But I think it went very well. Found her to be very pleasant to work with easy to get along with. I'm looking forward to my next lesson coming up Monday.

She is wonderful. That she gave me a hint of her own talents while demonstrating something for me was a gift. I am so glad she’s consented to help me relearn guitar.

Barbara is an incredibly fun and enthusiastic teacher. She instilled confidence in her students while helping them grow in such a short amount of time. Highly recommended

Very personable and takes the time to listen. She's also very patient

time very well-spent!

I'm retired and finally getting around to learning piano. Barbara is moving me quickly according to my ability so I learn and stay challenged.

My granddaughter took lessons from Barbara for 2 months, and then had to stop due to personal circumstances. During the time she was with Ms Barbara she learned a great deal and made a lot of progress. Barbara was patient and understanding and put the lessons to my 6 year old granddaughter in ways that she could understand. If our circumstances should change in the future I would definitely bring my granddaughter back to Barbara for piano lessons. Thank you Barbara - I think you helped instill a love of piano in my granddaughter!

She keeps my son on task and learning quickly.

Barbara is fantastic. She is makes learning music fun with grounded basics and fundamental teaching. The environment is welcoming and well suited for music learning. Barbara has helped Lauren move her music knowledge forward in one session that was very meaningful. Lauren was able to practice her guitar later that evening stress free with joy and confidence. Lauren has been dreaming of taking guitar lessons for a while and this first experience has been s dream come true. Thank you takelessons for helping me to connect Lauren and Barbara.

I had a musical background growing up. I played the piano and the cello for years and sang in several choirs. I also took piano lessons for a number of years as a young adult - but, when I came to Barbara, I hadn't touched a musical instrument for at least 3 decades. For me, what makes Barbara extraordinary as a teacher is that, even with all the musical background I have, she brings out music in me that I never knew was there - and we laugh a lot too - you can't do better than that!

Barbara is a fabulous teacher. She keeps my son on track while still making it fun.

I would like to write a follow up review about Ms. Barbara.
I have been taking singing lessons for about 5 months with Ms. Barbara.
When I came to Ms. Barbara I had a few hurdles I needed help and assistance in. The end goal was to be able to have my performance on stage. Ms. Barbara composed the right vocal exercises for me to practice so my voice becomes stronger and more stable, that the breath taking is correct and will allow me to hold the notes i need better and even sing high notes.
I went on stage feeling happy, excited and confident. My performance was a success!
Thank You Ms. Barbara!!

Barbara is very musical, very talented and very attuned to my needs. She is not only a singing teacher or a pianist, she is all and more. Most importantly, she is a mentor.
I highly recommend Barbara.
Fabulous personality and patience
I have been with Barbara learning for about a year ...loving every minute of it :)
Excellent!
Barbara has taught me to further my guitar skills and given me confidence to play in a group. Not only is she a great teacher but she is a great and warm person. Thanks for everything!!
Great skilled teacher -- extremely patient, kind and good natured!
My daughter has been taking piano lessons with Barbara for approximately 5 years. Barbara is passionate about piano and music in general and really gives over the love of music to her students. She is also extremely flexible and is in tune with where the student wants to go musically....we highly recommend her!
Her teaching methods are excellent but most of all she is building my 7 year old's confidence. We are beyond pleased with Miss Barbara.
Recommend highly
Barbara is teaching an old lady (me) to read notes and play piano for the first time in my life. And I am really learning!!!! Would recommend her to anyone.
Outstanding Piano Instructor!
My daughter is currently achieving all of her musical goals because of the excellent instruction Barbara has provided. I have noticed significant improvements in all aspects of my daughter's piano skills and it has been very exciting to witness her development. We have truly benefited by having Barbara as a Piano Instructor. She has simply exceeded all of our expectations and she has a wonderful personality. "Thank you very much Barbara".
Feedback Barbara
Barbara has good chemistry with my daughter, Julia. Julia enjoys the instruction and seems to be learning. Barbara is good for always providing feedback/synopsis for each lesson, which is much appreciated.
Ms. Barbara is a good teacher that takes the time to work with her students.....really finds what works for the student to improve....
Barbara teaches wonderfully! I am allergic to the smell of smoking.
Thank you very much for your patience and encouragment. :)
Simply said....I just love her!
organized
I was all over the place with info and was confused in what direction I wanted my music to go. I am now on the right page thanks to Ms . Barbara . We have a plan and I feel organized in my head. Im eager to play everday.
Excellent teacher
She is fun to study music with. She makes it so easy to understand and study. Great teacher!
Photos & Videos
11 Photos & VideosExperience
Private Music Instructor
Jul 2015 - PresentMusic & Arts
Private Instructor of piano, guitar, voice, music theory, music composition and music performance.
Private Music Instructor
Jun 2009 - Jun 2015Quality Music and Dance
Private piano, guitar and voice lessons Instructor.
Piano and vocal performance.
Jan 2010 - Oct 2012Westminster Canterbury Assisted Living
Performed a variety of musical pieces for residents, including singalongs and requests taken from all attendees.
Education
M.S. Instructional Technology
Sep 1988 - Jun 2000New York Institute of Technology
B.A. Music
Sep 1972 - Jun 1976S.U.N.Y Cortland
Languages
French
Limited Proficiency
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