Frequently Asked Questions ...
Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
I not only teach students how to play an instrument but to give back to the community through their talents. I also help students to develop a true passion and love for music and playing.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a strings teacher?
The most important thing about finding a teacher is that the student is comfortable with them. Having teacher that the student is comfortable with allows for open communication and makes learning easier and more productive.
The most important thing about finding a teacher is that the student is comfortable with them. Having teacher that the student is comfortable with allows for open communication and makes learning easier and more productive.
What events have your students recently participated in?
Recently my students have participated in the following ...
- Westminster, Maryland's Annual Fall Fest Parade
- Belle Musique's Christmas Recital
- Carroll County All County Orchestra Auditions And Concert
- Carroll County Solo And Ensemble Festival
Upcoming Events Include ...
- Maryland State Solo And Ensemble Festival
- Belle Musique's Spring Recital
- McDaniel Summer Orchestra Institute
- Encore Summer Orchestra Camp
Recently my students have participated in the following ...
- Westminster, Maryland's Annual Fall Fest Parade
- Belle Musique's Christmas Recital
- Carroll County All County Orchestra Auditions And Concert
- Carroll County Solo And Ensemble Festival
Upcoming Events Include ...
- Maryland State Solo And Ensemble Festival
- Belle Musique's Spring Recital
- McDaniel Summer Orchestra Institute
- Encore Summer Orchestra Camp
What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?
Many people do not know that a teacher's job never stops even private teachers! Lesson prices also include the outside work that is done for each and every student including letters of recommendations, audition preparations, Solo And Ensemble events, planning / organizing recitals, booking piano accompanists and venues, helping select new instruments and the list goes on and on. My job never stops even when I'm home! I try to make myself as available as possible for all students for questions and additional help and assistance such as the things listed above!
Many people do not know that a teacher's job never stops even private teachers! Lesson prices also include the outside work that is done for each and every student including letters of recommendations, audition preparations, Solo And Ensemble events, planning / organizing recitals, booking piano accompanists and venues, helping select new instruments and the list goes on and on. My job never stops even when I'm home! I try to make myself as available as possible for all students for questions and additional help and assistance such as the things listed above!
If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.
Lessons are paid for IN ADVANCED for the month. This avoids having to pay each week making payments easier on the student and myself. Lesson prices can be found on our Perspective Students Page.
Lessons are paid for IN ADVANCED for the month. This avoids having to pay each week making payments easier on the student and myself. Lesson prices can be found on our Perspective Students Page.
What important information should families have thought through before seeking you out?
Lessons are a full time commitment! They require work in and outside of lessons and you get what you put in to them. Students that do not practice will not see results like a student that practices daily. Also, lessons occur year round with a winter break and major holidays off. Lessons are most beneficial when they are continuous and taking the summer or school year off makes the student lose most of what they have learned causing set backs and frustration for the student.
Lessons are a full time commitment! They require work in and outside of lessons and you get what you put in to them. Students that do not practice will not see results like a student that practices daily. Also, lessons occur year round with a winter break and major holidays off. Lessons are most beneficial when they are continuous and taking the summer or school year off makes the student lose most of what they have learned causing set backs and frustration for the student.
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy watching students succeed. Watching a student master a passage that they have been working on or seeing them nail an audition for an orchestra is what makes everything worth it!
I enjoy watching students succeed. Watching a student master a passage that they have been working on or seeing them nail an audition for an orchestra is what makes everything worth it!
If you were looking for lessons, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
Why are music lessons important? Lessons are important because students may not receive everything they need in a school setting. Students will receive one on one instruction, focused attention on their weaknesses and strengths. Students will also receive a more in - depth education rather than the brief overview of their instrument in schools.
Why are music lessons important? Lessons are important because students may not receive everything they need in a school setting. Students will receive one on one instruction, focused attention on their weaknesses and strengths. Students will also receive a more in - depth education rather than the brief overview of their instrument in schools.
What questions should a prospective student ask to hire the right teacher?
How long have you been teaching? What is your main instrument? How could you help my child / myself improve as a musician? Do you have any addition training that could help in the learning process?
How long have you been teaching? What is your main instrument? How could you help my child / myself improve as a musician? Do you have any addition training that could help in the learning process?
Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your students.
- Technique Studies
- Theory Studies
- Performance Aspects
- Recitals
- Audition Preparation
- Solo And Ensemble Preparation And Attendance
- Assistance In Selecting New Instruments
- Letters Of Recommendation
- Technique Studies
- Theory Studies
- Performance Aspects
- Recitals
- Audition Preparation
- Solo And Ensemble Preparation And Attendance
- Assistance In Selecting New Instruments
- Letters Of Recommendation
Tell us about a recent moment you had with a student that you are particularly proud of.
One student in particular started lessons with me in the summer of 2014. This student had never picked up a string instrument before and decided they wanted to play in school for their seventh grade year, setting them three years behind the rest of the kids in school. They planned to take lessons only for the summer to get caught up but once school started they decided to continue lessons to keep moving up through their school orchestra. Recently this student attended Carroll County's Solo and Ensemble Festival and received a SUPERIOR rating and attended Maryland State Solo And Ensemble. This student also received a SUPERIOR rating at the state level. This student has also been invited in to the elite group at their school and has moved in to the third highest seating within their school. All of these accomplishments have happened in less than a year. This student has developed a love for music and is continuing their musical education with me and through their school so that they can continue progressing and enjoying their new found passion!
One student in particular started lessons with me in the summer of 2014. This student had never picked up a string instrument before and decided they wanted to play in school for their seventh grade year, setting them three years behind the rest of the kids in school. They planned to take lessons only for the summer to get caught up but once school started they decided to continue lessons to keep moving up through their school orchestra. Recently this student attended Carroll County's Solo and Ensemble Festival and received a SUPERIOR rating and attended Maryland State Solo And Ensemble. This student also received a SUPERIOR rating at the state level. This student has also been invited in to the elite group at their school and has moved in to the third highest seating within their school. All of these accomplishments have happened in less than a year. This student has developed a love for music and is continuing their musical education with me and through their school so that they can continue progressing and enjoying their new found passion!
What are you currently working on improving?
I am currently and continuously working on developing different ways to reach each student. Each student is different and requires different teaching abilities to help them learn. Currently my main goal is developing new ways to reach special needs students.
I am currently and continuously working on developing different ways to reach each student. Each student is different and requires different teaching abilities to help them learn. Currently my main goal is developing new ways to reach special needs students.
What is your greatest strength?
I feel that my greatest strength as a teacher is building up the students' self - esteem and love for music. Students start lessons with me and are unsure of their instrument, their goals and themselves and walk out of lessons with confidence, reassurance, set goals, a love for music and a great musical education!
I feel that my greatest strength as a teacher is building up the students' self - esteem and love for music. Students start lessons with me and are unsure of their instrument, their goals and themselves and walk out of lessons with confidence, reassurance, set goals, a love for music and a great musical education!
If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?
Find a private teacher to "follow" or intern for. I have started a new teacher recently and she has been interning with me for two years now. She now feels 100% comfortable working in one on one situations and group situations.
Find a private teacher to "follow" or intern for. I have started a new teacher recently and she has been interning with me for two years now. She now feels 100% comfortable working in one on one situations and group situations.
What are the latest developments in your music lessons?
Skype lessons are an up and coming "thing" in the music world. I am looking in to starting several skype lessons throughout the week but am currently unsure of when this will happen.
Skype lessons are an up and coming "thing" in the music world. I am looking in to starting several skype lessons throughout the week but am currently unsure of when this will happen.
What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
How much are lessons? - Lessons are $25 for half an hour and $50 for an hour.
What do you teach / do the students study? - Technique, Theory and Performance. We use the following books 1. Essential Elements Intermediate Technique / Essential Elements Advanced Technique 2. Master Theory Books One - Three 3. Suzuki
Are their age restrictions? - I teach ages 6 and up. Students may be accepted under the age of 6 with teacher consent.
How much are lessons? - Lessons are $25 for half an hour and $50 for an hour.
What do you teach / do the students study? - Technique, Theory and Performance. We use the following books 1. Essential Elements Intermediate Technique / Essential Elements Advanced Technique 2. Master Theory Books One - Three 3. Suzuki
Are their age restrictions? - I teach ages 6 and up. Students may be accepted under the age of 6 with teacher consent.
How did you decide to get in your line of work?
I was actually introduced into private teaching when a classmate's younger sister needed some help getting in to an orchestra. I agreed to help her out and realized that I loved helping less experienced musicians! I've been teaching ever since and the joy that it brings me is still with me!
I was actually introduced into private teaching when a classmate's younger sister needed some help getting in to an orchestra. I agreed to help her out and realized that I loved helping less experienced musicians! I've been teaching ever since and the joy that it brings me is still with me!
Do you have a favorite story from your work?
There isn't one story in particular but one thing that makes everything worth it is when a student either comes back later in life or tells you currently that they plan to go in to music as a career and it's because of the influence you had in their life. Seeing young (and old) musicians have a true passion for what they're doing is a great feeling and I have so many people tell me each week the impact I've made in their life and that they look forward to their lesson all week just so that they can play and show me what they've accomplished over the week.
There isn't one story in particular but one thing that makes everything worth it is when a student either comes back later in life or tells you currently that they plan to go in to music as a career and it's because of the influence you had in their life. Seeing young (and old) musicians have a true passion for what they're doing is a great feeling and I have so many people tell me each week the impact I've made in their life and that they look forward to their lesson all week just so that they can play and show me what they've accomplished over the week.