Murfreesboro Music Lessons

ichard Miller, world-class early music expert Nancy Zylstra and twentieth-century vocal music expert Sharon Mabry. He has had masterclasses with the Metropolitan Opera's Bodo Igesz, Metropolitan Opera Singers Daniel Taylor, Jennifer Lane (with whom he still studies), French-diction coach Elvia Pucinelli, vocal pedagogue Richard Miller, and Thomas King, director of the AIMS Gratz program. As a violinist and violist, James has studied with music-education specialist Sara Johnson, Francis Elliot, Nashville Recording-Artist Randall Olson, and concert violinist Stefan Petrescu.

As an educator, he has served on the faculties of the Cumberland Arts Institute, W.O. Smith School of Music, Murfreesboro City School System, School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University, Allegro School of Music and the East Nashville School of Music. He has taught hundreds of students in various formats ranging from one-on-one studio settings to entire youth symphony orchestras and choirs. He has been active as an adjudicator, participant, and member of various competitions and education-related conventions. He also maintains membership with various educational organizations such as the American String Teacher's Association, Music Educator'€™s National Conference, and Early Music America.

In addition to working with and coaching Grammy award-winning and nominated artists, Mr. W's students have auditioned, been selected and have performed in the Tennessee Mid-State and All-State Choir (principal positions) and Orchestra Festivals (violin and cello, in addition to being members of the Curb Youth Orchestra and Philharmonia at the Blair School of Music.

His students have also performed in several professional and amateur performances across the Southeast. They have also gone on to major in music earning tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships from prestigious conservatories and colleges across the country. Many of his students have become professional musicians across many genres, educators themselves, or satisfied amateur hobbyists.

*** Lesson Details ***
As a teacher many have described my style as nurturing-but-firm. When I see a student's potential, I make sure that student can attain it. I expect a willingness to learn, a desire to succeed, and a want for excellence. In return, I offer the tools to get the student there!

I know that not every student benefits best from only one method. As such, I employ a variety of teaching tools and methods to best suit each student. Strings students can expect to see a little bit of traditional training, a little bit of Suzuki and little bit of contemporary training. Voice students can see some Sieber vocalizes, some Vaccai, classical, jazz, and musical theater training built on an old-world teaching technique. It's all about giving the student the tools to do whatever he/she wants with his/her music of choice!

On your first lesson, I'll go over the materials needed, what you need to work on, and the very basics so you can immediately get to enjoying your new craft. In a few months, you'll be confident making new music or making better music. Within a year, you should be well prepared for one of my studio recitals!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a commercial music teaching studio used solely for the purposes of teaching. In the studio there is a piano, my music library, photo copier, computer, audio equipment, stereo, music stands, standing mirror, and various teaching tools. There is a waiting area for parents, siblings and other visitors.

*** Specialties ***
Voice: All Genres -- child-adult, all levels (beginning through advanced).
Violin: All Styles -- all levels (beginning through advanced).
Viola: All Styles -- all levels (beginning through advanced).
Cello: All Styles -- beginning through intermediate.

qnique you will learn performance and songwriting as well. A singer will have the tools to create there own custom warmup routines. Music is supposed to be fun and expressive let me help you do this at the best level you can.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio room. Guitar. Recording equipment. Seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a guitar

*** Specialties ***
Hard rock, blues, country, metal, and R&B. Ive played over 1000 shows and using the skills I've both learned and developed I've only had to cancel 2 because of voice loss.

was principal percussionist and drumline captain throughout my high school career participating in the concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching bands. I was selected for All-State Jazz Band during my senior year and went on to study music education at the University of Georgia while being selected for a slot in the Redcoat Marching Band and the University Steel Drum Band during my freshman year. I completed my music business degree from Georgia State University, while studying under world class teachers like Jack Bell, principal percussionist for Atlanta Symphony for over 30 years.
Throughout my career, I continue to be influenced, inspired, and taught through private lessons, master classes, videos, books, and recordings from David Garibaldi, Simon Phillips, Rod Morgenstein, Neil Peart, Gregg Bissonette, Jerry Fields, Jim White, John Lawless, Billy Degnats, Eric Darken, Gary Chaffee, Kim Plainfield, Chuck Silverman, Steve Houghton, Jeff Hamilton, Jeff Porcaro, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Vinx, and Zorro.
As your drum teacher, I can help students excel in school music programs to pursue scholarships, transform the garage band into a gig-ready act, bring laughter and joy for special needs, encourage senior citizens trying something new with music in their golden years - all of these scenarios and more with the ultimate goal to coach you to becoming the creative musician you dream of becoming based on the musical artists that inspire you. Let's get started today.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'll have you playing and understanding rhythmic concepts right away. I love to start lessons off by learning from my students who their favorite drummer is or what music track inspires them. Then we turn "I wanna do that!" into "I can do that!"
I customize each lesson to each particular student's goals, although I have many solid foundation concepts and exercises that I employ at the appropriate times. I keep the lessons extremely positive and encouraging, but I will drive and challenge my students to help them find joy in pushing themselves through a difficult new concept or overcoming a physical hurdle.
I try to broaden my students' appreciation for multiple genres of music with a lot of historical or anecdotal stories which fit within the context of whatever contemporary methods we are actually studying. As much as possible, I incorporate technology into our lesson time with click track (metronome), play-along music, and other developmental tools.
Listening is a critical skill that I constantly emphasize, and yes, I do assign "homework" between lessons, but I make the assignments fun and they usually help to quickly unleash the creative spirit of each student!
My greatest joy is when a student has a band performance I can watch or a positive audition experience I can celebrate with them after having helped them prepare for the event.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drum kit, multiple hand percussion instruments, PA system, practice pad kit, dry erase boards, and multi-media.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The students should have a new three-ring binder or a spiral notebook to track weekly lessons and assignments. Ideally, students should have sticks/mallets, a snare drum, drum set, hand percussion (bongos, conga, djembe, cajon), or perhaps a school-supplied instrument. If none of those items are owned or available, that's not a problem. I can provide practice pad(s) and or small drum and percussion supplies to help us get started until students/parents can invest in their own gear later on based on their specific interests.

*** Specialties ***
Drum Set - Musicality & playing drum beats from day 1. Also, reading music & rhythmic training.

Percussion - School band and concert percussion (such as bells, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone). Prep for auditions. Drum maintenance, tuning, and various hand percussion (conga, bongos, cajon, djembe, tambourine, etc.).

of 1983 to 1997. I taught private students after school in my classroom while I was a public school teacher, and from my home since 1997. My post-graduate continuing professional education includes Tennessee Arts Academy at Belmont University, Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1 (vocal teaching techniques, do-re-mi, ear training), Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification, Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Piano Lab certification. My professionalism and expertise are at your service. I will work together with you to insure an enjoyable and informative learning experience.

*** Lesson Details ***
A typical lesson in my studio would begin with a brief question/answer time with the student to learn how their week has gone, and how their music practice is progressing.

For PIANO LESSONS we begin with Technique including scales and dexterity exercises, then we play from the Lesson book and a Recital selection. I typically let the student play through the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to play the piece again. After that we go over the Theory assignments, and do Ear Training exercises. I am comfortable teaching from a variety of different methods courses. The methods course is chosen according to the student's interest. I never require a piano student to continue using books that are not inspiring. There so many methods courses available, that a student may always be able to have methods books they LOVE.

In my SINGING LESSONS we also begin with a recap of the student's week. Then we continue with Warm Up exercises to prepare the student's voice for the lesson. Then we study Sight Singing and Solfege Singing (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to increase the student's listening skills. After that the student sings their selections. Like I do in Piano lessons, I listen to the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to sing the piece again. I am comfortable teaching many styles of vocal music including classical, Broadway, pop, rock, and Christian.

For MUSIC THEORY lessons, the study material is chosen according to the student's interest and age. Topics include notation, chord structure, chord progression, melodic structure, and harmony. I also incorporate Music Listening in the Music Theory lesson in order to learn from the masters in many styles of music. My Music Theory students will also have the opportunity to develop composition and songwriting skills if they desire.

My teaching style is structured and friendly, keeping the student's goals and interests at the forefront. I enjoy motivating students to reach their highest potential.
After 3 to 6 months in my studio my students will see improvement in their musical technique, ear training, music reading, notation, and knowledge. They will be preparing recital pieces for an upcoming performance. I provide two recital opportunities a year: in December, and in May. Most importantly, the student's love and appreciation of music will be growing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
PIANO lessons in Living Room: piano near front entryway, couch, loveseat, over-sized chair, dining room table, open space, end table with chair, parents may sit in on lesson.

SINGING lessons in Recording Studio: keyboard, recording equipment, desk, 2 chairs, music stand, microphone, private room. Parents may wait in adjacent rec room or sit in on lesson.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide lesson books, the students should provide their instrument.

I do have a mobile keyboard to bring for SINGING lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1

Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification

Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Lab certified instructor

into all aspects of life. It's so wonderful watching a kid (or an adult!) gradually come out of their shells during the process.

During the first lesson, I sit down with the student and talk to them about their dreams and goals. That way, I can build a curriculum that perfectly fits their needs. We can learn anything their heart desires-from classical Beethoven to writing their own music! For basic piano I love to use the "Bastien" and "Alfred" basic collections because they are what I grew up on.

Can't wait to meet you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
In my studio I have a weighted keyboard, mic, amp, mirror and video for recording performances.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Mic, amp and video recorder are portable. Student must provide piano for in home visits. And plus, you'll need one to practice!

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in beginner classical piano and improvisation, beginner-advanced voice, theory, performance and songwriting of all styles.

r/lyricist, pianist, vocalist, and music educator born in Irving, TX and raised in Annapolis, MD. She has a Master of Music in music theory and composition from New York University, a Bachelor of Music in musical theater from the Catholic University of America, a certificate in vocal performance from the Peabody Preparatory, and is an alumnus of the famed BMI Lehmen Engel Musical Theater Workshop. She is also a pianist of twenty-seven years, trained under a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory.

In addition to music, Natalie has also studied child and adolescent development, psychology, and music education. She has been teaching music students of all ages privately and in classrooms since 2006. She personalizes her instruction to fit the learning style of each student, focusing on technique, theory, and repertoire while making sure the student does not lose his or her love of music in the process.

As a composer, she has written for both the piano and the stage and is listed in The Directory of Contemporary Musical Theater Writers at Contemporary Musical Theater.com. She wrote the music, book and lyrics to Deployed, which premiered off-off Broadway at the Abingdon Theatre Company in November 2013 and played again at the Gene Frankel Theatre in January 2014 to sold-out audiences. It was featured in the Musical Theater Factory’s 4x15 in March 2015 and continues to be developed. Other work includes: Hall Pass ("Flyers and Fryers," Grace Church School, produced by Blake McCarthy), The Big C (songs, Dramatists Guild), "Performance Anxiety" (music/lyrics, The Flea Theatre, Raw Impressions Musical Theatre Marathon),The Music of Natalie (The Duplex), and "Movement to Contact" (score, Veteran Artist Program PSA). She has served as rehearsal pianist for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and accompanist and music director for NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts.

that, so YOU can take what I give you and run with it!

teach all of the "correct" notions of music from my academic background, but I also have real experience regarding what a musician needs to be able to do if they want to become a professional.
I do my best to make lessons relaxed. I don't ever want a student to be nervous for a lesson with me because they did not practice as much as they think they should. While I encourage as much practice as possible, I care more about a student realizing the positive force that music can be in their lives; music doesn't need to be a stressor.