Hi there! My name is Valerie. I'm a certified music teacher that loves to see a person grow in their love and ability for music. With 20+ years of teaching privately, experience teaching publicly in elementary school music classrooms, enjoying several years as a certified Kindermusik (preschool music) teacher, and a school year teaching with VSA arts of Delaware (teaching music to those with disabilities), I find it thrilling to see a person of any age & background grow and blossom in their passion for music! Though I enjoy and have experience at teaching all ages from children to adults, I specialize in teaching ages 4-12. I would describe myself as a preschool/elementary/middle school music teacher that teaches privately. ;) My studio is filled with many smiles, stickers for every accomplishment, and a treasure box of cool prizes for those who are practicing regularly and did a great job in their lesson. Lessons are a time where children can feel like music really is fun and enjoyable to learn and experience! In addition to being a teacher, I am also a singer/songwriter, and performed for 6 years at local coffee shops and outdoor events within Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. I am also a member of a local professional caroling group called Yuletide Singers which performs seasonally in places like Longwood Gardens and corporate functions. My history for performing stretches back, though, to my years as a puppeteer/children's performer, touring with a team doing school assemblies and evening family performances. I'm always excited to bring my understanding and experience with performance to my students! **And, with excitement, I must add that TakeLessons named me "Teacher of the Week" on October 4, 2010! What a great honor! Thank you TakeLessons!!** *** Lesson Details *** Our time spent together will be filled with many smiles & laughs because that is probably why you want to take lessons -- because it makes you feel wonderful inside! Within 3-6 months, we'll begin discovering how to read music and understand the language of it. We'll learn how to play/sing some of your favorite songs and learn some that you might not know. We'll discover what you really want to learn and achieve through taking lessons, and we'll work toward those goals! For the intermediate piano student, we will begin understanding basic Music Theory and scales and will even take a look at how chord symbols work. Soon, you'll be learning how to accompany yourself and others as you sing! For singers, we'll learn about vocal techniques, breathing, getting your best vocal sound and discovering how to take a song to its potential! We'll also learn performance techniques, how to work with a microphone, have a great stage presence in front of a live audience and begin learning how to read music and even get familiar with the piano keyboard! For all my students, it's a journey that is exciting, unique to each individual, and one we will embark on together! Because music is a performing art, I coordinate two music recitals each school year for students who are interested. This is an optional event, but is encouraged as part of the learning experience. It is usually held at a local firehall and presented in a low-stress and fun way, followed by refreshments! *My studio is in a safe, family-friendly home & smoke-free environment. We also having a loving feline member in our family... a beautiful, orange tabby named Jennifurr. She is warm and friendly. You may or may not see her since the entrance to my studio is through our back door, off the main house. So! What do you say? Shall we START THE MUSIC? :) Find me on Facebook: Valerie Bailey Music Official, for more photos of my fun recitals! *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons are enjoyed in a dedicated music room; keyboard (full-size with weighted keys and sustain pedal) *** 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 music education for all children, including ones with special needs. I feel it is so important for a child to start out with a fun and wonderful experience with music and performing. My approach is simple and fun and understandable for the young mind.