Stephens City, VA Guitar Lessons

m the Florida Department of Education. I have taught in Florida as a preferred substitute for general music classes, K-12. In college, I have given study sessions for music theory levels ranging from 4-part writing to post-serialism.

Degrees:
Doctorate of Musical Arts: Guitar Performance; Shenandoah University, expected May 2019
Master of Music: Guitar Performance; University of Akron, May 2014
Bachelor of Music: Guitar Performance; Stetson University, 2011

While giving lessons:
I ensure that every student receives fundamental foundation pertaining to the subject. While learning the basics, I advise that the student organizes their lessons and materials in a way that displays progress over time. With the proper knowledge, we can treat the heart of a subject with refinement in order to grasp its purpose and reason---whether its music or math.

Why?
My students have grown with confidence through a sense of accomplishment. Success does not only affect a person's well-being but can also impact other dimensions of their lives.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Equipment available if needed:

Footstools
Music stands
Pencils
Complete home recording studio
Computer/tablet/smartphone w/ internet
Speakers and playback devices
Reference books

*** Travel Equipment ***
Each student is expected to bring with them (if applicable):

Notebook or log
Reference/score materials
Instrument(s) and case
Accessories
Portable sound recorder (optional)

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz and Rock Styles.

Performance, Music Theory, Arranging, Composition.

Elementary Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calc.

entele established. I love to sing all different styles and I'd love to help you find your style and help discover your passions.

My passion for music started for me as a young child. I grew up in a musically inclined family, and was inspired and motivated by family members to use my gifts and talents to educate students about the world of music. My immense love for children, coupled with my educational experiences and my passion for music qualify me as a fun and exciting teacher.

I am huge lover of Barbershop/Sweet Adeline music and I recently competed in the International Young Women in Harmony Quartet Contest in Nashville, TN. My quartet, Vogue, won the competition. The Young Women in Harmony contest is for girls 25 years old and younger. I recently sang with a quartet called, Dolce. We competed in two International Competitions in Denver and Hawaii and placed 10th and 15th in the world. I was also a member of the International Gold Medalist Chorus, Harborlites, which is comprised of 180 female singers.

"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You learn notes to play to the music of your soul." - Katie Greenwood

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons will be educational and fun. I want to find your passions and interests and from there I will create lesson plans to enhance your learning experience in your specified concentration. Voice lessons will start with vocal warm ups and exercises and then we will proceed to work on vocal techniques and preferred repertoire. During the lessons we will create goals and work on those goals so you become a successful musician.

I am a very patient and caring teacher and I am able to create the lessons to your style and needs. Music is fun and I want to make it that way for you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a full keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
I studied music education in college with a vocal emphasis. I am classically trained but studied jazz as well. I also am a member of an internationally ranked barbershop chorus and quartet. I specialize in singing bass and lead in barbershop.

ide textbooks, some staff paper to jot notes on,etc, or recording equipment if necessary.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock & roll and all the of the music that it is built upon. Anything from blues to country to R&B to bluegrass is something I have a strong fascination and background with. I am also extremely well versed in college level music theory.

Robben Ford, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Martin Taylor, and James Taylor, to name a few. Today David plays and teaches a variety of different styles, ranging from rock and blues to classical and jazz.

Piano

David started to play the piano after years of playing the guitar. Although a second instrument, it in many ways it was the first as everything David has aspired to on the guitar is pianistic, and he draws much of his inspiration on the instrument from piano players. Correspondingly, it wasn't long before David picked up the piano itself, studying privately first with Tatev Amir and later with Karen, Kushner, Professor of Piano Studies at UMKC. David applies many of the same principles to the piano that he does the guitar including stressing a comprehensive knowledge of music theory, self transcription, ear training and classical technique as well as the more traditional facets of piano pedagogy such as sight reading and rhythm work. Students learn music theory as applied to the keyboard, sight-reading, improvisation and the application of classical technique to modern styles.

As a pianist David is motivated primarily by his passion for music. Growing up he was influenced by classical, jazz, and film scores. Since picking up the piano he has been inspired by pianists from such diverse backgrounds as Art Tatum, Nicolai Lugansky, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Evans among others. Today David plays and teaches a variety of different styles, ranging from rock and blues to classical and jazz.

*** Lesson Details ***
I have extensive experience with all ages and skill levels. I use a curriculum specifically geared towards the guitar, as opposed to more traditional (and inferior) methods that emphasize note reading and piano pedagogy, my method will teach you music theory as it relates to the neck of the guitar and the music that the student are interested in. I am a fairly laid back teacher; we will go at your pace, but I do expect you to work hard.

With piano I use classical literature to develop technique but emphasize the development of a comprehensive understanding of music theory as applied to the keyboard. This includes but is not limited to studies in pop, rock, jazz and other style of contemporary piano.

*** Studio Equipment ***
#1) Dedicated music room seating for parents

#2) Practice/rehearsal room seating for parents

#3) Amplification provided and music stand.

#4) Keyboard/Piano for student use

#5) Broadband network, dual camera, file sharing and the latest technology utilized for online lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a music stand, my instrument, curriculum materials, music paper materials and amplification (if needed). I expect the student to have their own instrument and potentially amplification. I provide a piano for instruction but I expect my students to have a piano or keyboard for practice at home.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical and jazz guitar, however I am fluent in most styles, including rock, blues, fingerstyle, and miscellaneous. I teach from Jay EuDaly's "Vertical Truth: Chordal Mechanisms for the Guitar" but I also supplement this with a variety of other curriculum.

In piano I specialize in classical piano as well as jazz and pop.

patience which I find makes them more apt to relax, listen, learn, feel the music and have fun!