Sterling, VA Ukulele Lessons

ofessionally now for over twenty years. Some students want to take a few lessons to see if it is something they will enjoy, others have worked with me for over a decade. I have mentored several students who have gone on to professional careers. I have experienced a lot of success teaching young children and those with special needs. I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of patience and truly enjoy teaching anyone who wants to learn.

Whatever your goals or abilities, I look forward to working with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Experience fun based lessons as my teaching approach is relaxed and inspirational. I enjoy working with all ages, adjusting my teaching methods to accommodate your learning style and abilities. Learn to play the music you love! You learn best when you enjoy what you are playing, I can help you play along with your favorites or even write your own songs. I always ask my students at the beginning of a lesson "What would you like to do today?" Then structure the lesson accordingly into a routine that the student can practice on their own. Generally the time is divided into warm ups, learning new material, then picking a fun song the student choses. Whether your interest is Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop music, etc... I'm here help you reach your goals so let's make your dreams come true with music together!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Books, Guitar, music stand, metronome, picks, tuner, page clips, capo, media player, laptop, Keyboard (on request), and recording equipment (on request)

*** Specialties ***
With Voice I specialize in helping people prepare for auditions such as American Idol. I have students who simply want to be karaoke stars. I have several professional singers that hire me as a voice coach and producer for recording sessions. I have taught children as young as 2 and those that retired with a lifelong dream to sing. Though my training is classical, I can teach Jazz, Pop, Rock, Rap, R&B, etc...whatever is fun for the student. I highly recommend learning to read music but I do not push it unless parents want their child to.

With Piano I can teach traditionally from Alfred and Bastien Piano Courses depending if they are auditory or visual learners. For Kinesthetic learners I use Hanon scale exercises and Rothman Rhythm Exercises. For those that want to learn notation I introduce classical and Jazz composers unless there is a popular artist/band/movie theme etc...that they would like to learn. However I do not push students to read music unless their parents would prefer it. I tend to keep more students that want to learn to play by ear especially adults by using rhythm training and music theory exercises and then applying them to songs they love. For piano I haven't had much success with children younger than 3. I also have a lot experience working with special needs children.

For Guitar I teach Classical, Acoustic, and Electric all styles and genres. I encourage sight reading but don't mind using tabs. I use more exercises with these students, since the first month students have a hard time making a sound. I try to make the lessons fun by having students strum chords along with songs they chose. I teach lead and rhythm even songwriting and composition. Job satisfaction for me is seeing my students leave a lesson with a smile on their face so I make sure to be a fun based teacher that doesn't give the student a hard time about not practicing.

For Recording and Performance I use the knowledge I gained doing Pro Audio Sales for Guitar Center from 2000-2002 to help clients build their own home studio. I have lots of producers and engineers I work with on a regular basis to produce broadcast quality audio and video recordings and help my students use their lessons and pre-production for those opportunities. I can teach Garage Band or Pro Tools classes on navigating the software and utilizing all the commands. I can also teach room acoustics and using the right microphone and how to position them with the right equipment and the right acoustics to get the best possible tone that they are looking for. I can also teach editing, mixing, looping, sampling, midi, and mastering so that the student can eventually work on their own writing, performing, and recording their music.

imultaneously pursuing my music ambition. I studied classical guitar at American University with a student of the great Andres Segovia, and also studied jazz guitar with a former student of a prominent jazz guitarist, Pat Martino. Additionally, I sang in choirs and studied composition privately with a prominent Washington area composer and performer from Catholic University, I also began to teach at an area performing arts academy.

My most long-term experiences in music have been serving in my local church for over 30 years, either playing guitar (acoustic, electric, bass), piano, or arranging vocals in a contemporary worship band. I also started a church choir, and led both choir and small orchestra in a number of special performances. Additionally, I led congregational worship in different scenarios. During this time I also taught students of all ages guitar, piano, and music theory, and have continued to today in helping students to find their musical potential and pursue their musical ambitions.

I have recently retired from my engineering career so I can use my musical gifts in my local church and teach music as a second career. I have completed my second degree at George Mason University, and continue to play with other musicians there. More importantly, I continue to learn how to better teach others of all ages how to grow in all aspects of music-making.

*** Lesson Details ***
Having taught for many years, my approach is flexible and I can adjust my teaching style and/or curriculum to maximize the student's potential for learning at any age. I encourage disciplined practice while working to make learning music an enjoyable experience. Although I specialize in guitar styles, I also teach piano, and can include music theory, sight reading, composition, and how to improvise on any instrument. I have taught improvisation on a number of different instruments such as violin, cello, flute, and clarinet.

Here are some testimonials from present or former students/parents:

"Mr. S. is very earnest; when he gives you a compliment, you can tell he really means it. He's very patient and experienced and skilled and he is willing to take what he's teaching down to my level to help me understand it." Gregory K., age 10
Geoff is a patient and encouraging instructor. He tailored my lessons towards the skills that I needed. He provides the necessary encouragement when the long hours of practice seem impossible to sustain. I could write a book about Geoff's credentials: highly qualified is an understatement. -- Neal B.
Mr. S. is awesome at playing and teaching guitar, and he is nice and helps you. -- Michael B., age 12
œI'm sure I could learn to ˜Play Guitar Today™ using books and videos, but I think I'm on the right track with private one-on-one instruction. “ Linda H.
The guitar lessons are fun, interactive, and instructive. A great way to make learning a delight!“ Gina R., parent

*** Studio Equipment ***
Office at home w/ keyboard and guitars, white board, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide self-produced instructional material.
Students provide their own instrument and a folder to store instructional material.

*** Specialties ***
I teach any style of guitar, including classical and jazz. I also teach improvisation or "playing by ear" on any instrument; my experience includes piano, violin, cello, clarinet, and flute.
I'm very familiar with 60's music (e.g., Beatles)
I've performed a lot of folk music, rock music, and classical music
I've played classical guitar and in classical and jazz ensembles at weddings and other special events.

best.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar, instruments, keyboards recording equipment, waiting room, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music stand, foot stool, cables.- Teacher
Own instrument, amplifier if needed, notebook.-Student

*** Specialties ***
I have been teaching for about 25 years and am well versed in Jazz, Classical, Rock, Blues and Country genres. I focus on anything from note reading, theory, improvisation and composing.

gh school Cameron began playing more jazz music as he attended Bellevue College studying theory and composition with Dr. Brian Cobb and guitar performance with Mark Hillard Wilson. After this he soon met renowned Jazz Guitarist Chris Spencer, with whom he studied with for years to follow.
Cameron eventually found himself at Cornish College of the Arts where he received a Bachelors degree in Music Composition. While at Cornish he had the opportunity to play guitar and compose for Jazz Orchestras, Latin Jazz ensembles, and Modern Jazz groups while playing under the direction of internationally know musicians such as Wayne Horvitz, Tom Varner, Jovino Santos Neto and Chuck Deardorf.
In the realm of composition Cameron studied privately with composers Jarrad Powell and Tom Baker, with a deep focus in contemporary classical music. He is now the composer for the quickly rising interdisciplinary arts group the Pendleton House.
Currently Cameron spends his time working as a guitar player in Seattle while also writing chamber music for various ensembles and art groups. He performs on a regular basis with a variety of groups in the Seattle area including the Seattle based jazz trio Honeysuckle Rye, folk and bluegrass group Modern Bygones, as well as the orchestral pop band Sebastian and the Deep Blue.

*** Lesson Details ***
In the world of music education it is important to recognize that everyone learns differently and there is no universally prescribed teaching method that works for all students. Everyone must find how he or she learns best. As a teacher I acknowledge this and incorporate it into my method of instruction. Anyone can find success as a proficient instrumentalist if they are able to learn on there own terms and find what they are doing enjoyable.
Lessons will start with an assessment of what the student wants to learn and what their goals are. From there, we will determine the proper approach to meet those goals while keeping things fun and interesting. Once a particular skill level and interest are established I will develop an individualized lesson plan for the student to fit their wants and needs. The goal with beginning students is to get them up and running right away with chords and melodies, learning the fundamentals while being able to play their favorite songs. For all students I like to extensively focus on knowledge of the fret board and the many possible approaches to mastering it, as well as looking at creative practice methods and daily routines. A musician’s method of practicing can greatly determine their rate of improvement. For more intermediate and advanced students the general focus will shift to topics such as ear training, rhythm, music theory and music notation (if desired) and, their application to the guitar.
For students interested in composition, we will focus more on analysis and the application of theory. We will look at songs or pieces that are of interest to the student and take them apart to figure out what makes them great. We will also look at many different kinds of music and their construction. A large part of music composition in the 21st century is the integration of electronic and computer music. For students looking for an introduction into pre-recorded and live electronic music with or without the use of guitar or other instruments, this is strength of mine that I love to teach.
Whether you are a serious musician or just looking for a fun hobby, I can get you where you want to be in your musical life. I’m fun, friendly and music is my passion and profession and I love to share it.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring extra guitars if needed, acoustic or electric.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in getting beginners up and running right away while helping each guitarist to find there own voice and have fun at the same time! When playing non-original music I specialize in blues, jazz and popular music.

Website:

http://www.cameronarmstrongmusic.com/

Music Links:

JAZZ TRIO: HONEYSUCKLE RYE:

https://soundcloud.com/honeysucklerye

ACOUSTIC FOLK DUO VIDEOS: MODERN BYGONES

https://vimeo.com/187979926

https://www.facebook.com/elbrindiscocktails/videos/1046510482133705/
https://modernbygones.bandcamp.com/releases

VIDEO'S OF ACOUSTIC BLUES AND FOLK PERFORMANCES:

Summertime Acoustic
https://vimeo.com/130905051

In the Pines
https://vimeo.com/130905033

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*** Specialties ***
mariachi, Catholic music, Andean music, Latin rhythms

itar-helps-you-improve

I look forward to the possibility of helping you reach your musical goals.

as a student soon! - Michelle