Newport News, VA Music Performance Lessons

ow to 'play well with others' in informal as well as more structured gatherings every few months, with no pressure, only compassion & encouragement.

For those wishing to join in the fun of playing bluegrass music, we will start out with technique exercises, scales, basic melodies & accompaniment patterns to prepare you to learn this unique & exciting style of American music. There are many gatherings in the area called 'Pickin' Parties' that I want to get you ready to participate in as soon as is humanly possible.

If you are one of those brave souls undertaking the lovely but challenging fretless instrument, the violin, my main focus is to get you started with the all the necessary basic techniques - holding the instrument & bow correctly, getting the best possible tone & pitch using efficiency & accuracy, mixed with a great deal of ear training & heart.

Specific songs you'd like to learn? Your reward for accomplishing what I deem necessary on whichever instrument you've chosen will be for us to then listen to & analyze your desired piece, & I will then write it out in either tablature or standard notation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson studio contains music stand, tuner, metronome, & there is easy parking in the well lit front lot.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student must have own instrument & be willing to purchase necessary tools as recommended at their first lesson for their instrument & playing level, such as music stand, tuner, pick, book, strap, etc. at a local music store or on line.

*** Specialties ***
Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Contemporary Christian, Americana, Ragtime Blues Guitar, Fingerstyle, Flatpick, Accompaniment, Ear Training, Theory, Harmony

een accepted into College music programs, they have been members of the May festival Youth Chorus, the Kentucky Governor'€™s School for the Arts, and have traveled to Europe with competitive touring choirs.

Stacey's operatic performing credits include Autumn in Charles Halka's Layover with NANOworks Opera, the Mother in Amahl and Night Visitors with the Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra, Testo in Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda with the College-Conservatory of Music , Mimi from Puccini'€™s La Boheme in the CCM's Opera scenes program, Donna Donna in P.D.Q Bach'€™s The Abduction of Figaro , 1st Lady in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte and Juno in Offenbach'€™s Orpheus in the Underworld all at the DePauw University Opera Theatre. Other partial roles/scenes performed include Suzel in Mascangi'€™s Lamico Fritz, Countess in Mozart'€™s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

More than just singing opera Stacey is known for her versatility as a classical singer regularly doing cross over work. She regularly gigs as a jazz/popular singer accompanying herself on the piano. Her musical theater performing credits include Mama in Everybody'€™s Buddy: The Buddy LaRosa Story, Shelia in Hair with DePauw University, Ensemble/Soprano Soloist in Sweeny Todd, Sonia in Godspell with the Lakeside Players and Yonah in Children of Eden with the Lakeside Players.

Stacey received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Barbara Paver. She graduated magna cum laude from DePaul University with a B.M. in Vocal Performance. She studied with Caroline Smith and Stanley Irwin.

Stacey is originally from Florence, Kentucky and takes pride in impacting her home community through music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Stacey is known for adapting lessons for the individual. Each body is unique and thus each vocal instrument is unique. Stacey takes time to get to know each student and caters to their specific needs and goals. She believes in well rounded performers working often on dramatic intentions, overall professionalism, and stage presence. She also prepares her students with their audition packages and stresses the importance of regular performance. Stacey is a very open and caring individual but expects hard work from her students.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha upright piano, Yamaha portable keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have a portable keyboard. I expect a semi private space to teach.

*** Specialties ***
Opera, Broadway, Choral Vocals

and more eager to share and more and more open to the possibilities ahead.

*** Lesson Details ***
I listen well to my students. They are free and encouraged to express their goals and soon, they become more and more comfortable doing so. They begin to understand that even though I am their instructor, we are working as a team and that my goals for them are directly tied to the goals they have set for themselves.

My teaching style is natural, relaxed and yet, very enthusiastic, all at the same time. I have patience in abundance and my continual student affirmation is well received. I give most attention to personalizing instruction for each of my students. My passion for musical expression is contagious and readily shared. It is a joy to teach music, to contribute to the growth and delight that I witness through a student's progress.

I have taught music to both children and adults, from beginner to advanced levels. My teaching approach remains the same, save for the goals that suit the specific student, which we discover early on, sometimes even at the first session, together, right from the start. I DO ask that a parent sit in on the lesson for my under age 10 students, at the beginning for sure, then at the child/parent's discretion. My beginning students receive the attention necessary to encourage their desire to persevere, which includes positive feedback (which is abundant) and a teaching style that fits his/her level of learning. My student's success is my goal. This is my jubilant mission.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, guitars, Ukulele

*** Travel Equipment ***
I own 4 guitars, 1 classical, 2 acoustic/electric, and 1 electric, which I can provide for the lesson, if necessary.
I own a Baldwin Acrasonic piano.

The students will need to buy their books.

*** Specialties ***
Methods: Clear presentation of the instrument and the most comfortable way to achieve the best playing results. Emphasis on Theory including chords and improvisation.

Styles: From Classical to Broadway to Folk to Rock to Jazz to Blues.
Genres: All

ue-Afro-Haitian-Afro-Cuban and Modern
African drumming and percussion: Jembe and shekere with song and folklore.

c reading examples.

More advanced students can expect to review proper technique and work on appropriate etudes and solo repertoire. I spend a lot of time working on practice technique. Confidence building if necessary. If the student plays in a jazz band we can work on bebop/swing/improvisation as well.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a stand, tuner, metronome, and video and audio recording devices should we decide to use them.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide teaching materials and can bring a music stand. Student needs working instrument, and should own a tuner, metronome, and music stand. For a tuner/metronome I recommend a Korg TM-50. Nearly anything will do for a stand but I'd avoid a flimsy fold-up stand. I recommend an On-Stage SM7211. Can't go wrong with a Manhasset black stand either.

*** Specialties ***
Classical solo repertoire and audition preparation. Blues and bebop improvisation. Musicality and lyricism. Technique.

ent**
Boston Baby Grand - Teaching Room A
Yamaha Upright - Teaching Room B
Janssen Upright - Classroom

k, R&B, and jazz. Trained by some of the best artists and teachers in Virginia and Texas, I have gained extensive knowledge in vocal pedagogy that has allowed me to become versed in numerous styles and crossover genres. Contact me and we can discuss in more detail want you are looking for in a voice teacher, your vocal goals and experiences, as well as availability and location details. Do not miss the opportunity to work with someone who is really dedicated to nurturing voices and serving art in a down to earth way and will get you where you want to go fast.