Easley Music Lessons

various music schools, summer camps and festivals. A few advanced students have even attended and performed in some of these aforementioned festivals! I am always encouraging my students to go above and beyond.

A bit of background about me: I started my music studies at the age of 7. Lessons and orchestra were literally the highlight of my childhood. I ended up attending the Baltimore School for the Arts for high school, and went on to receive my Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Shenandoah University and complete further studies in England, Northern Ireland and Maryland (UMBC graduate certificate). I am also a registered Suzuki Violin/Viola teacher and have attended many teachers workshops in order to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to work with any and all types of students, including those with learning disabilities, such as ADD and FAS.

*** Lesson Details ***
While I am a registered Suzuki violin teacher, I do not teach solely out of a certain method or "by the book"; I choose and mold every lesson depending on specific, strengths, weaknesses, etc. If you are a more advanced, serious player, more intensive lessons and repertoire will follow suit.

I am comfortable teaching all ages and levels up to advanced. Use of games make learning the violin fun and accessible for young children. Older and more advanced students receive a more technical, intensive and advanced approach. Coaching and weekly help on school assigned materials (orchestra/string class music and homework) Classical, Jazz, Gypsy and Fiddle styles are all introduced and studied to give students a rounded technique. Music theory (reading and understanding music) is incorporated in lessons. Repertoire is diverse and exciting. Various approaches for the visual or aural learner. Guaranteed to keep you or your child engaged and interested!

*** Equipment and Studio Lesson Details ***

-If you are coming to my home for lessons, please be sure to bring your instrument and any books you may already have.

**Please note, there are three cats in the house. They are usually isolated to a different part of the house during lessons to ensure there are no unnecessary distractions and to help minimize potential allergies (studio is also sprayed with allergy reducer spray and vacuumed regularly). All are UTD on shots. Please call and ask to schedule a "trial" lesson to see if the animals interfere with allergies.

New students:
You may park on the Clayton Rd outside our house or on the cul-de-sac next to the house and walk down.
I have a trial 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 size violin to use for the first lesson if your child is a beginner.
After the first lesson I will send an email explaining what materials and equipment I recommend you buy to help you sound your best.

Places to rent or buy instruments will be recommended upon request.

*** Cancellation/Reschedule Requests ***
1) At least 24 hours notice is required if you need to cancel your, or your child's, lesson. You will be given the option to take a credit that will automatically roll over to cover future unpaid lessons on your calendar, or the option to reschedule for a different day within a week of the canceled lesson.

2) If you find that you need to cancel with less than 24 hours notice (I completely understand life happens, and sometimes it is unavoidable to provide 24hr notice), you will be given the option to make up your lesson within 7 calendar days of your originally scheduled lesson time. If you cannot do a makeup lesson, this will result in the lesson being marked as "missed" and will still be charged as if you attended the lesson.

3) If you do not show up to your lesson scheduled at my home studio and no notice was given, the lesson will be marked as "missed" and will still be charged as if you attended the lesson.

4) If I need to reschedule or cancel a lesson for whatever reason, you will be given an option for a makeup lesson or given a credit that will automatically roll over to cover future unpaid lessons.

5) I require two weeks notice to discontinue lessons if you would like to receive a refund or be exempt from paying future tuition.

6) All lessons are billed ahead of schedule and must be paid in advance in order to keep your lesson slot.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki Violin/Viola Method
Music Theory Tutor
Genres: Classical, fiddle.
Experience teaching ages 4-Adults.

I also supply relevant exercises and music theory to accelerate the learning process.

Piano Lessons
I differentiate between concepts and skills, while stressing the importance of mastering both. As important as it is to understand the intervalic relationships in something like the major scale, this knowledge does little for the pianist if she or he cannot pick out the notes to the different scales in real time. In observing that each person demonstrates unique learning patterns and abilities, I have learned that some people will come to understand the conceptual through mastery of memorized tasks while some will succeed with technical mastery only after achieving some conceptual understanding.
Voice Lessons
Having first begun singing at 22 years old, I know first hand that it’s never to late to start singing. Having some experience in school but not fully as a professional till in my 20′s, I have learned from some of the top professionals in the South Florida area. My first vocal lessons was with Gloria Estefan’s back up singer Jon Secada. Jon has his first hit “Just Another Day” that stayed at #1 for several weeks. His one lesson really helped me use singing in my gigging around town. From that time on, I have used this technique for all my students. focusing on JUST BREATHING, has helped many of my students.

Teaching Sound Recording
Working in the early 1980s with recorded music and computers, I was introduced to the new wave of recording at its birth. At Miami Dade Community College, I taught and assisted students in Composition, Sound Development, and Sound Recording using Mac computers and PC’s. As of this day, I personally teach recording in Logic Pro, Bias Peak and Mastering using Waves plug ins and having finished products in Mp4 format and or CD’s.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Mac with logic pro software instruments, piano seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
expect students to provide paper and pencil and put in practice time on their respected instruments at least 30 min a week

*** Specialties ***
Alfred,Hanon,Rubank Advanced Method for instruments.

fy my talents in order to make the most out of my passion. While in Nashville I had the privilege of writing and recording with some amazing talent, I toured and performed, as well as ,taught. After graduating with a B.M. in Guitar, I relocated to Greenville, SC where I began working at a local music store in the Greenville area as the Head of the Guitar Department. Currently I am in the process of opening my own business in May! The business will be a service oriented business with a very minimal inventory of strings, picks, drum sticks, etc... Unlike many businesses that offer music instruction, my job is to teach and prepare my students, not figure out how I'm going to sell the Squier guitar I just took in on commission. The services I'll be providing will include, but are not limited to, private and group lesson packages in voice, piano, guitar, bass, and drums, Rock, Classical, and Jazz Ensemble groups, Fine Arts Center Prep Courses, Music College Entrance Exam and Audition Prep Courses, I'll also have monthly Guitar Maintenance Courses, DIY pedal and amp building clinics, and that's just the beginning! The unveiling of my pièce de résistance, is one you won’t want to miss!

Island for several years before having kids. I now teach general music, voice programs and private voice instructions at the Victorious Voices Studio, located in Toms River, New Jersey :)

Victorious Voices Performing Arts studio offers a wide variety of programs for all ages. In my studio, I use eclectic styles and teaching methods. My Philosophy is to use your body, mind and soul in music. I really try to cater to the needs of each individual student.