Teaching Locations:


Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedAbout Raycurt J.
Thirty years of private lessons for Voice, Violin, Viola, Piano, and Music Theory.
Music IS the universal communicator, educator, healer, and conflict mediator.
We naturally expose our children to music and ignite their awareness stimulating practical learning concepts.
As a hobby or passion we share the discovery that connects to similar disciplines, such as science and mathematics.
Former students who have successfully auditioned, received their acceptance notices from major music conservatories and colleges nationally and world-wide.
Julliard School, Boston Conservatory. Eastman Schol of Music, Peabody Institute,
Leipzig University of Theater and Art Germany, and B'way shows..
Mr, Ray's comprehensive 3 step courses.
1. Learn the basics of music language, reading, writing and yes there's arithmetic.
2. COUNTING. keeping time, the ruler of motion in music.
3. Learn how to create beautiful melodies and syntax of song to discover the process of creativity within a structure toward a musical thought.
Also. effective personal practice techniques and the basics of Improvisation and Composition.
It is well documented that exposing children to music and the creative arts is a prerequisite to fundamental logical thought processes and schematic reasoning.
Music is organic FUN for kids of all the ages! 4 years to 104. Lol
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Recordings with artists and celebrities throughout the U.S. and Europe.
I have performed with a few noted such as Stevie Wonder,
Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, and Carmen Mac Cray. World-class orchestras;
Akademisches Festival Orchestra, Leipzig,
Kammerorchester de St. Laurentius, in Dessau, Germany.
National Gallery of Art Orchestra, Washington D.C.
American University Symphony.
Howard University Community Orchestra and
presently the D.C. Concert (DCCO) and DC Strings workshop orchestras.
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Reviews
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Raycurt is not only knowledgeable, he is extremely skilled. He is thorough and maximizes time by providing superb instruction. My son looks forward to attending his classes; and I am a parent who is beyond pleased with Raycurt’s level of expertise.

This was a really unfortunate and wasted experience. Raycurt was wildly unprepared to teach. He brought a broken metronome and almost no sheet music/lesson plan. I had spoken both to the sales rep and Raycurt himself prior to the lesson and he was still fully unprepared.
I also explained my level of experience and was assured Raycurt was qualified to teach at the level I needed, but he came off as less knowledgable than me, which was particularly disappointing.
Worst of all, after multiple hours of speaking on the phone, I couldn't get my money back for this lesson.
I'd strongly recommend not using takelessons at all, they've put a horrible taste in my mouth for their entire service.

cool guy

Very good first lesson for a 6 year old - looking forward to continuing!
1st lesson. was an awesome experience. Knowledgeable, patient and encouraging!
my ray curt is phenomenal. he is patient, empathetic and reasonable. oh yeah... amazingly talented in all areas on music. super skilled at the piano and violin.

Excellent teacher.

Mr. Ray J is a great teacher with patience. My 13yrs old boy is an international student who doesn’t speak English very well and
only had chance to have 6 hours class during our trip to US. But my boy likes Mr. Ray’s class very much, we hope to come back to DC and learn from Ray again.
Juliet

Raycurt was very flexible in his planning, charming in person and very good (and patient!) with my six-year-old would-be drummer.

Fantastic, very professional and well prepared.

Fantastic!

Raycurt is patient, kind, and most of all experience. Look forward to the future and where I am going with this experience.

Raycurt is an amazing teacher. He's a musical genius but he's still patient with me even though I have little musical talent.

Mr. Raycurt is encouraging and patient. He has made learning piano exciting for me!

Mr. Johnson is a FABULOUS violin instructor. I haven't played in 20 years, and after a few lessons my technique is coming back. His teaching style is one where he pushes you beyond your expectations. He's an excellent teacher for beginners and experienced violinists. I also love that he is so talented in many genres of music...such a gifted violinist. Hope to play like him again soon. I highly recommend this teacher.

Raycurt has developed and implemented a constructive way for beginners to understand the violin, comprehend music theory, and figure out how to make this instrument sound good!
(It's not easy to do...)

Raycurt was extremely patient and a very skilled teacher. Would definitely recommend!!
Excellent
I am an adult learner new to music lessons, and so was very anxious during my first violin session with Raycurt. I can't say enough about his professionalism and easy teaching style. We spoke prior to the meeting, and he told me what I needed to get started. More impressive, he showed up during a snowstorm! I highly recommend him.
no comment
Raycurt is a pleasure to deal with. He is very talented and uses his talent to teach me the piano. He is patient with me through I am not a very good pupil.
Photos & Videos
7 Photos & VideosExperience
Music director- Workshop Co-ordinator
Oct 2016 - PresentPrivate Workshop-ensemble
Founded on the belief that access to excellence in music is an essential human right, Our Workshop (DCSW) is dedicated to bringing fun, high-level classical music concerts to communities throughout the District of Columbia region. A non-profit organization composed of young amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians under the leadership of founding artistic director Andrew Lee, DCSW seeks to reach a wide spectrum of audiences with performances that engage the communities in which they occur. musicians of proficient level for a string orchestra and various combinations of chamber music or dictated by the music genres. All instruments welcome and aspiring composers. Meet-ups for social settings, networks, occasional recitals and presentations for the DMV area.
Workshop leader
Jan 2014 - PresentMusicNow Foundation, Inc.
Music Now Foundation, Inc. - a 501c3 (pending) organization dedicated to the support of live music to engage, enrich, and educate young artists through workshop programming, performance opportunities and musical mentor-ships nurturing creative and artistic growth. 1. Nightingale's Café & Coffeehouse performances A gathering place for Live, Local and Homegrown Music ! Friday Nite Live Coffeehouses Emporium of Musical Workshops: Songwriting, Performance Etiquette, History of Music,,,,etc Magical Mentor ships for young artists Piano, Guitar & Voice Lessons for At-Risk Youth Music Now Coffee-rockers . . . Behind the Scenes news for Young Musicians distributed throughout HS music programs, coffee shops etc... Partnership support with VH1 Save the Music Foundation to support Music Educations in Schools throughout SE CT
Openning Ceremony Official
May 2013 - PresentFOUNTAINHEAD® Tanz Theatre Berlin.Germany
XXVIII. Black International Cinema Berlin 2013 FILM AWARDS
Education
Bachelors of Music Performance
Sep 1977 - May 1981Eastman School of Music, Rochester NY.
Languages
Geman
Professional Proficiency
Italian
Limited Proficiency
Spanish
Limited Proficiency
Affiliations
American Federation of Musicians
Jul 1991Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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