Learn Guitar or Mandolin! Classical, jazz, bluegrass, and more!

You can learn to play the acoustic guitar, whether you are interested in classical studies, jazz, American country music, folk, or just want to play songs you like! I also offer lessons in mandolin, both with chords and melody, to learn bluegrass or other traditional styles.

We will spend time learning proper technique that sets you up for success by avoiding future physical roadblocks, making learning easy and swift for you. We will also learn chords, and begin learning songs of your choice, including melody and rhythm. We will have you playing your first song by the end of the second lesson!

Extra information

You will need to provide your own instrument, and will need to purchase your own music or books when necessary. For young children (ages 0-7), I teach using the Suzuki method, which requires considerable parental involvement, attending lessons as well as involvement with the student throughout the week between lessons.

Location

Online via webcam

General info

Guitar

Acoustic, Classical, Country & bluegrass, Folk, Jazz, Song & varieties

Mandolin

Age:	Infants (0-3 years old) Preschool children (4-6 years old) Children (7-12 years old) Teenagers (13-17 years old) Adults (18-64 years old) Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level:	Beginner Intermediate
Duration:	30 minutes 60 minutes
The class is taught in:	English

About Me

If you are ready to take on music lessons, your life will never be the same. Music enriches our minds and lives in many ways, including expanding our expectations past what we think is possible for ourselves! I've taught hundreds of students over the past 15 years, and have loved helping my students learn to read and play, discover their own love of music, and conquer their fears of performing. I've been described by students as encouraging and fun, and my teaching style is warm, positive, and relaxed. I have worked with many students, including some with learning disabilities, physical limitations, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and just plain old stage fright! I work with you to set your own goals, and I look forward to helping you reach them... It's what I love about what I do.

I began my violin studies at age 9, with my humble public school string program. I continued through high school and into college, playing and singing with auditioned district ensembles, school musicals, and chamber choirs, coming in as runner-up in my high school's concerto competition and performing twice in Carnegie Hall. I studied opera, vocal pedagogy, and passed my piano proficiency exam from the advanced class.

In 2003, I earned my violin performance degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and soon after, joined the Kansas City-based Celtic folk group, Tullamore. I have enjoyed 13 seasons with this lauded regional group, playing countless esteemed Celtic festivals across the country and embarking on five international tours of Ireland and Scotland, as well as a Caribbean cruise hosted for our fans.

In 2014, I relocated to Hampton, Virginia, where I auditioned for the Hampton Roads Philharmonic, and currently play as a first violinist.

In 2015, I began playing with Brackish Water Jamboree, an award-winning Americana band, host of the annual Norfolk Festival in Norfolk, Virginia and featured on NPR's Out of the Box series with Paul Shugrue and the national American country and roots show The Blue Plate Special.

Throughout this time, I have enjoyed teaching a full and enriching music studio of students: hosting recitals, open mics, and ensemble rehearsals, and watching students achieve goals they didn't know were even possible. I continue to teach online via Skype, Facebook video chat, and Google Hangouts, and I look forward to working with you to accomplish your own musical aspirations!

Education

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bachelor of Music in violin performance, 2003
While working towards my degree at UNL, I was selected regularly to play in extra ensembles and pit orchestras, and also studied vocal technique and pedagogy, as well as piano.

Experience / Qualifications

2002-present: Private teaching studio, First Chair Fiddlers; owner. I have taught hundreds of students--all ages and skill levels--over the past 16 years, including students with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, autism, dyslexia, extreme shyness (selective mutism), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and students with special physical needs (stroke or surgery recovery, nerve damage, limited mobility). I teach lessons not only with violin and viola, but also in guitar, piano, and mandolin. Member of the American String Teachers Association, as well as the Suzuki Association of the Americas.

2006-present: Freelance studio musician; vocals and violin: featured violin, string arrangements, and/or vocals on over 12 albums by independent artists.

2015-present: Hampton Roads Philharmonic orchestra; First Violinist

2016-present: Brackish Water Jamboree; fiddler, backup singer, backup guitarist: award-winning original album (2017); two-time VEER award winner for best Americana band (2017, 2018); founding group of the annual NorFOLK Festival held in Norfolk, Virginia, US; multiple tours of eastern United States

2005-2017: Tullamore (American-Celtic folk group); lead singer, fiddler: 5 recorded albums, 3 tours of Ireland, 2 tours of Scotland, 10 major US Celtic festivals

73.28CAD/ h

Private Violin or Fiddle Lessons (Including American country and fiddle music!)

Hi, there! With over 15 years' experience in teaching hundreds of children and adults, and over 25 years' experience performing all over the US and in Europe, I am confident in my ability to work with you to achieve your goals! I specialize in viola and violin lessons, in many styles, as well as music theory. As a musician, I have toured and performed internationally, playing and singing with an American-Celtic folk group (Tullamore). I currently sing and play guitar and fiddle, performing and touring with an award-winning Americana group called Brackish Water Jamboree. Additionally, I play first violin with the Hampton Roads Philharmonic orchestra here in the US. I can work with you in many styles, including not only classical, but also Celtic, American folk or "old-timey", American country, blues, jazz, and rock styles. Students describe my style as encouraging, humorous, and relaxed, and after working with hundreds of children and adults over the last 15 years, I am confident in my ability to work with any student, at any skill level, including those with special learning needs or requests. We would have individual, live video-chat music lessons in English, and we can choose a learning method together that best suits you and/or your family's needs.

73.28CAD/ h

Piano and Music Theory--Suzuki method or self-teach with guidance!

I teach many options for music lessons, including piano, music theory, guitar, violin, viola, and mandolin. In our piano lessons, you will learn proper technique from the beginning, to set you up for success, avoiding future pitfalls and making your learning easy and swift! You will learn how to identify the keys on the keyboard, how to use your fingers and begin to master the fine motor control necessary for piano playing. You will also begin to learn chords, how to coordinate both hands, and begin learning songs right away!

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from C$73.28Online via webcam

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Availability of a typical week

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