Midlothian Music Lessons

of my students, I am now at a point where I excel at honing in on the individual interests and learning styles of whoever comes to me for help. There are many ways to learn guitar. The best one is the one that engages and inspires you the most. That said, there are also music fundamentals that we all need to know. My joy as a teacher lies in finding a way for you to master the fundamentals while at the same time following your personal bliss and intuition. We plot the course together, combining your curiosity and enthusiasm with my years of experience.

I also love working with kids. While they are having fun jamming, I discretely provide them with the technique and musicianship they'll need to excel in any musical environment, whether it's conservatory study or playing in a great band.

*** Lesson Details ***
Your enthusiasm is the key to your success, so my lessons are tailored to the interests and abilities of each student. That said, my classical background and dedication to effective teaching inform everything I do.

All of my students learn Music Fundamentals:
-Technique (habits of movement)
-Theory (how music works)
-Aural skills (hearing pitches, chords and rhythms clearly)

Many of my students use books. There are hundreds of great books these days, and I will work with students from any book they choose. Listed here are the books I regularly use. They all deliver great results:

-Aaron Shearer "Leaning The Classic Guitar"
-Will Schmidt and Greg Koch "The Hal Leonard Method"
-Joe Pecoraro "Read This First"
-David Oaks "Music Reading For Guitar"
-William Leavitt "A Modern Method For Guitar"
-Mateo Carcassi "Melodic and Progressive Studies, Opus 60"
-Leo Brouwer "Simple Studies"

Many of my students prefer to work without a book, and that is a great option too. These students learn scales, chords and theory and develop a repertoire of songs. I will show you how to play any song you'd like to learn. You can also work on writing your own songs or compositions, or improvising in any context, be it jazz, blues, Indian raga or flamenco.

Singing is also encouraged!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio: music stands, extensive library of all kinds of music, great sound system and ability to stream any song, several guitars, recording equipment, footstools, keyboard and percussion instruments.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I'll bring my guitar and books, accessories as needed.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in versatility. I regularly play gigs doing classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, and world music. All of these genres have a place in my heart, and I've devoted years to learning to play and teach them well.

I am equally polyamorous when it comes to the various things musicians do. I love to sing pop songs, dissect jazz lines, delve into expressive groupings with classical pieces, drill scales and arpeggios, you name it. Reading, improvising, composing and notating, transcribing and playing by ear, memorization, classical technique, blues technique, bluegrass technique, theoretical analysis... hit me up for any of that, or whatever else interests you.

y would learn there sharps and flats and the difference between the two key signatures. They would also learn during the first six months some of the basic terms in music theory. I would set goals, but never overwhelm the student, but work with them according to how much they could take in. They would have weekly assignments. If an assignment is not mastered during that time, then we would review it and carry it to the next week. When one assignment is mastered, then the student would work on the next. This would be a step by step processed. My goal for the student the first six months is to get that child or adult to be able to play their chords in their left hand, octaves and fillings in their right hand and know how to work the pedals. They would understand and know the key signatures and what timing they are playing in. The student would also know some of the basic music terms. Please keep in mind that this depends on how much information that the student can process. With some it could take a little bit longer. With others it would take less time.

*** Studio Equipment ***
f/w keyboard ("It's heavy, it was metal inside it!") w/ seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect payment on any music material that I purchase at the Music Store.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Rock, Classical, Patriotic, Standard and Spiritual and also children's music for beginners. I do a wide range of music from the fifties up to today.

earn other concepts such as music theory, literacy, and technique in subsequent lessons.

My students are involved in school & community ensembles, school & community theater, and district contests. I support and seek out these opportunities according to their interests.

Please send me a note! I can't wait to get started.

nce from many avenues including band, private lessons, choirs, and musical gigs. I taught music theory and ear training at an after school music and arts business for 1.5 years and worked with a variety of students ranging from 6 years old to twenty years old. As a music therapist, I am required to be proficient on my main instrument (flute) plus on guitar and piano. I am also required to be proficient in the creation and implementation of goals and objectives, people skills, and to have an empathetic, understanding, and positive approach in all I do. I believe these skills contribute greatly to the effectiveness of my teaching. I am also qualified and willing to teach adaptive lessons for students with all types of disabilities. This includes mental and physical.

PSYCHOLOGY:
I am currently pursuing a masters in mental health counseling and have a minor in psychology. I have completed a practicum at a behavioral health hospital, an internship at another behavioral health hospital, and am currently completing a practicum in which I provide individuals in the community with counseling services.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Education experience: I taught music theory for 1.5 years in Tallahassee, Florida. I am currently a certified substitute teacher in Volusia county Florida for elementary through high school and I teach flute sectionals at local middle schools and high schools. I have also been a teachers aide in two kindergarten classrooms. This job required me to teach students individually and in small groups. I also provided music groups with the kindergarteners once a week. Prior to this I have been a regular dividend in a kindergarten classroom for a semester, have lead flute choir and flute sectionals, and have volunteered often in an elementary art classroom.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
My teaching style is organized yet laid-back. I am sympathetic and positive in my approach. I am understanding of your busy schedules so am very flexible although my schedule is quite limited and it may be difficult to reschedule lessons.
I have access to lesson books/textbooks and can make suggestions for you based on your needs and desires. If you are a beginning piano student you will need to purchase your own book. (It's about $6.00 on Amazon.)
Our first lessons will be based around assessing your strengths and weaknesses. From there I will create a schedule customized to your specific needs. Your input is important to me as I am always willing to be flexible based on your personal needs and preferences.
Learning music is FUN so I will make sure you are enjoying the lessons as well as getting the most out of them that you can!

PRICING INFO:
Flute, piano, and guitar lessons are $25/30 minutes and ukulele is $20/30 minutes. This is a set price. I do not haggle. I do provide sibling discounts!

d from Westfield State University and Kurtis John from the pop band The Last Goodnight. Please let me know if you have any specific questions about taking lessons with me. Looking forward to working together!

myself. Through high school I was in a few bands, and I have always had such a huge passion for music and seeing that passion grow in others.

My clients learn how to play in my comfortable and creative home. I have beautiful acoustics in my living room, with inspiring artwork on the walls and a ton of natural light. I work with singers and uke players of various age and talent range!

and choreographed for a production of La Traviata in Italy for the La Musica Lirica Summer Program. I currently sing in a small, early music ensemble run out of St. Benedict's Church in Richmond, VA.

Though she enjoys performing, I am a teacher at heart. I have been giving private voice lessons for years and have taught for such schools as the Potomac Arts Academy in Fairfax, Virginia and the Boston Arts Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. I was also the vocal coach for Boston City Singers’ Cantare Singers, a group of students between the ages of ten and fourteen. I enjoy working with singers of all ages and interests. I'm excited to meet you to begin your vocal journey!

irst learning the basic chords, scales, and technical skills so that you can start playing songs as soon as possible! With a strong foundation, I will help you build upon those fundamentals to develop advanced skills. I will choose material that will consistently challenge you and expand your knowledge of music and guitar.

Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you!