Music

Bio

I am an experienced guitar teacher with over 17 years of playing experience and 15 years of performing experience in bands. I have taught at respected institutions, including the School of Rock and Nancy Brownstein Music. I have been part of the Lowell School community since 2019, initially as an After Care Teacher and later as a Guest Teacher. In addition to my music background, I hold a degree in Cartooning from the School of Visual Arts, which I earned in 2018.

Teaching Style

I believe the best way to learn is to play, and play a lot. Musical concepts come more naturally to those who are immersed in music. My goal is to help the student discover their passion for music first, and then help them express themselves through music.

Initially, this looks like learning how to play songs they might enjoy and deconstructing the concepts used in each song. It is much easier to grasp musical concepts when a student understands why they are learning them. I find that showing these concepts through songs helps them accomplish that.

Concepts covered include chord building, scales, strumming techniques, fingerpicking, and soloing.

Student Ages

• Guitar - 7 and up
• Ukulele - 5 and up

Scheduling

• Wednesdays from 2 pm to 7 pm

Required Materials

Students should have access to an instrument in working order that they can play at home. It does not need to be the most expensive guitar/ukulele in the world, but it should be able to stay in tune and have adequate intonation (meaning it will stay in tune when different frets are held down). Too often, young students start on an instrument with these problems and subsequently get turned off from pursuing music. If unsure, I am happy to discuss with you what instrument might be best for your student.

Optional Materials

• Picks (guitar only)
• Chromatic Tuner
• Folder

Bio

Originally from Calhoun, Georgia, I’ve been passionate about music since childhood. After starting piano lessons at age seven, I developed a love for music that grew with me throughout my life. My early teacher instilled in me both technical skills—like reading music, technique, and theory—and a creative freedom that allowed me to explore songs and genres I loved. Over the years, I expanded my skills to include voice lessons, songwriting, and performing at local venues, even recording an EP track in 2014.

With over 10 years of teaching experience, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding students of all ages and skill levels to discover their musical potential. After completing my undergraduate degree with classical music training, I taught at the Latin School of Chicago and completed my M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. I ran a thriving private music studio full-time in Chicago and am excited to continue to teach lessons here at Lowell and in DC. My goal is to foster technical skill, creativity, and a lifelong love of music in students of all ages and levels.

Teaching Style

My teaching style blends traditional music training with a focus on creativity and personal expression. I believe in providing a strong foundation in essential skills like reading music, technique, and theory, but I also encourage students to explore music they enjoy. By balancing structured learning with creative freedom, I aim to nurture both technical proficiency and artistic expression, making lessons engaging and inspiring.

Weekly Lessons

Each lesson is tailored to the student's individual needs. I prioritize steady progress while also allowing my students to explore songs and genres that inspire them. Weekly piano and/or voice lessons are one-on-one private lessons with the student and teacher. Lesson lengths of 30, 45, and 60 minutes are available, depending on student needs and learning goals, with the option to combine piano and voice. Lesson time consists of the student working through the curriculum books, learning theory and technique, reviewing musical concepts, and learning new songs.

Student Ages

I work with students of all ages, from young children (as young as three) to adults. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to refine your skills, or aiming to explore new musical territory, I provide individualized instruction suited to your experience level. My goal is to make music accessible, fun, and rewarding for everyone, regardless of age or background.

Required Materials

For piano lessons, students will need a keyboard or piano for practice, along with a notebook and pen for jotting down notes. For voice lessons, no keyboard is needed—I will email any practice tracks or links for student practice. I will recommend specific music books depending on the student’s level and musical interests.

Bio

I received my MM in Vocal Performance and GPD in Opera from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. I also hold a BS in Music Education and a BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut. My opera performance highlights include The Portland Opera Resident Artists Program, the Evian Festival under the baton of Rostropovich, Opera to Go!, and the Baltimore and Washington Opera choruses. As a soloist, I have appeared with the Annapolis Opera, Mt. Vernon 21st Century Ensemble, and the Columbia Symphony.

My vocal Instructors include Thom Hauser, Ruth Drucker, Stanley Cornett (Peabody Institute), and Carol Ann O’Connor (University of Connecticut). I studied choral techniques and sectional leading under Dr. Peter Bagley, a student of Julius Herford and teacher of world-renowned choral conductor and composer Robert Shaw.

Teaching Style

As a seasoned music education specialist, I combine knowledge of differentiated instruction and a multisensory approach to learning with a bel canto, or Italian classical, approach to singing. I specialize in teaching my students' unique learning styles, whether visual, aural, tactile, or a combination. Voice lessons for students age 10+ (physical maturity dependent) combine learning proper posture, breath support and control, diction, and dramatic interpretation of the music. Vocal coaching for students age 8+ focuses on basic breath support, forming pure vowel sounds, matching pitch, executing rhythmic accuracy, clear diction, and dramatic delivery. My specialty is teaching voice in classical, Broadway musical, and pop music genres.

Teaching Philosophy

Music is a foreign language, science, and art form. It requires using both right- and left-brain modalities. Singing should be fun and engaging, building on successes and an understanding that it is a personal process that entails developing one’s confidence and ability over time.

Student Ages

• Vocal Coaching: eight and up
• Voice Lessons: ten and up

Scheduling

• Tuesdays

Required Materials

All students must practice for at least 15 minutes a day. Parents must be willing to help ensure their child practices.

Bio

I have been a full-time performer and educator of drum set and classical percussion for ten years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to perform worldwide with world-class musicians, including international recording artists Erasure, Bobby Arvon, and The Original Temptations, and to support numerous finalists of The Voice competition in the Netherlands. I was employed as a drummer on various Holland America and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, performing every day across a wide range of musical styles. I also have performed at Olney Theatre, Toby’s Dinner Theatre, and the Red Branch Theatre Company. I have taught percussion for the last eight years at the renowned DC Youth Orchestra Program and drum set at various music stores in the Baltimore area.

Teaching Style

I believe that the fundamentals of making a good musician, especially a good drummer, rely on focusing on the details. I encourage students to challenge themselves while finding a love of and joy for music. We will spend much time playing along with a metronome, counting rhythms aloud, reading and preparing music, and working, without ever encountering “practice fatigue.” My experience across all styles of music, including jazz, pop, rock, Latin, funk, gospel, and classical, allows me to expose students to every type of music and help them feel comfortable playing it. The most important thing about playing music is loving music; nothing inspires a love of music like setting and achieving goals.

Required Materials

I use various materials throughout lessons, such as method books, playing along to music, improvising with students, and writing my own teaching material. Each lesson is tailored to that specific student, and there will never be a general lesson plan for any student.

Bio

My musical education began at one of the most respected music schools in Ukraine when I was seven years old, and since then, I have participated in numerous musical competitions. As a young musician, I played as a soloist and in chamber ensembles on many prestigious stages in Ukraine. At age fifteen, I had the opportunity to perform with a symphony orchestra at the Kharkiv Philharmonic’s concert hall. I graduated with a master’s degree in piano performance and music education from Kharkiv National University of Arts in 2016. During my university years, I won awards at many musical competitions across Ukraine and was awarded a Presidential scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and extensive piano performance.

I have over ten years of experience in teaching piano to students of all levels, as well as working as an accompanist.

Teaching Style

I tailor my piano classes to individual students’ goals and needs. I strive to create a fun and engaging teaching atmosphere for all my students, as I believe that it is paramount not only to teach students how to read and play music, but also to make piano, and the appreciation of music in general, a profound and
fruitful part of their lives.

Student Ages

• Five and up

Required Materials

All students need to have an instrument at home. Acoustic pianos are the best option, but electronic keyboards with weighted keys should suffice if acoustic pianos are not available. After the first lesson, I will assess which books we will use for classes, and students will need to purchase the books, as well as a notebook to record their assignments. If you have any questions before purchasing a piano or a keyboard, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to answer all your questions.

Bio

Yuan-ju has been a vibrant presence in the Washington, DC music scene since her arrival two years ago. As an experienced performer and music educator, she has taught students ages 5–24, ensuring her lessons are both engaging and fulfilling. In addition to managing her private studio, Yuan-ju Music, where she teaches violin, viola, and piano, she also serves as a teaching assistant at the University of Maryland, where she is pursuing a doctoral degree in music. She also serves as a violin and chamber music faculty member with the DC Youth Orchestra Program.

Yuan-ju has a rich educational background, having received scholarships from the Eastman School of Music and DePaul University, as well as a teaching assistantship at the University of Maryland. Her primary teachers were Robin Scott, Janet Sung, and David Salness. Before moving to the US, Yuanju received a comprehensive education in music theory, history, and ear-training in her home country of Taiwan.

As a passionate teacher, Yuan-ju believes that every child has the potential to uncover their passion and identity through music. She encourages her students to explore topics they love and to develop their own approaches to problem-solving and self-discipline. Yuan-ju values her role as a mentor, guiding her students to find motivation and direction in life through their musical experiences. Outside of music, she enjoys spending time with her two cats and biking around DC.

Student Ages

• Violin: 5 and up
• Viola: 5 and up
• Piano: 5 and up

Scheduling

• Monday afternoons from 3:15-6 pm.

Bio

I have been teaching private piano lessons for 20+ years. I’ve been here at Lowell School for 12+ years. In the 2022–2023 school year, I became Director of After School Music.

I teach complete beginners to the intermediate level. I have a way of finding fun in music education while helping students learn and connect to the piano.

I was fortunate to learn from amazing musicians. I grew up close to Oberlin, OH, and have participated in many programs, lessons, and studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This ignited a passion for music that would shape and influence the rest of my life.

Teaching Style

My lessons are designed to suit the individual student and their specific needs. The objective is for students to find learning the piano fun and interesting. We concentrate on the basics of music literacy while including familiar, fun songs and styles. Students learn how to read music and the proper piano technique through this relaxed, happy approach. Most importantly, students begin a lifelong love of the piano and music.

The lessons cover basic note reading, theory, technique, and improvisation.

Pianists under six enjoy fun improvisation and learn the musical alphabet, rhythms, note values, and proper hand positions as they begin their musical journey. I incorporate rhythm instruments and dancing for PrePrimary students.

Student Ages

• Four and up

Required Materials

All students must have a piano or keyboard available at home for practicing. I prefer they have an acoustic piano, but a keyboard is acceptable for now. If you plan to buy a keyboard, please consult with me to find an instrument that will be suitable.

I will help you select the other required books and materials.

Student Ages

• Ages 5 and up

Bio

I am Lowell’s Middle School Music Teacher and After School Music Coordinator. I received my BM in Music Composition from James Madison University, where I played as principal trumpet in the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. Other performance experience includes various jazz big bands, jazz Combos, party/dance bands, and many church events throughout the year. I teach beginners to college-aged students who participate in group and solo performances in and out of school.

Teaching Style

I give an individualized approach for every student based on their needs. In my teaching, I will also focus on the fundamentals of the instrument, including breathing, embouchure, airflow, and more. That provides the student with a solid foundation for navigating the instrument and its repertoire. I will always find ways to include songs or material that the student will enjoy, so they can grow into a musician who loves making music.

Scheduling

• Monday–Friday afternoons

Student Ages

• Brass: Eight and up
• Woodwinds: Eight and up
• Piano: Six and up
• Guitar: Eight and up

Required Materials

Students must have an appropriate instrument and the opportunity to practice regularly without interruption. I can provide some printed music, but I may ask families to purchase music and accessories (like a music stand) from time to time. I am happy to discuss suggested purchases in advance and to find alternative solutions as needed.

Bio

I have been instructing instrumental music in individual and group settings since 1996. I teach beginner to advanced students on guitar, bass, piano, trumpet, euphonium, ukulele, tin whistle, and drums/percussion. I have taught at various locations and schools, including Glen Music Studios, Victor Litz Music Center, Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington, House of Musical Traditions, and Lowell School.

Each year, I organize concerts and shows for students to showcase their talents, have an outlet for fun, and perform in front of an audience. I am also the Director of the Takoma Groove Camp, a summer camp for teen musicians.

I have played in various concert, marching, and jazz bands, and pit orchestras. I studied with master musicians at Montgomery College, the Collective in New York City, and Victor Wooten’s Camps in Nashville. I perform in and around the DC area weekly and am a live sound engineer.

Teaching Style

I believe music is a language and should be approached as one. All aspects of music are equally important, including reading, writing, playing, listening, understanding theory, communicating with other musicians, and improvisation. I think it is necessary to keep interest and drive alive in budding musicians, without overwhelming them with too much theory and technique right away.

Just as spoken language is supported and encouraged at home, so should a musical instrument and the language that goes along with it. Time should be allotted at home for practice and listening, which is integral for a young person’s musical growth.

In my teaching, I prefer to draw on a variety of sources to offer a well-rounded approach. I introduce many genres to help students develop a broad range of styles to enjoy playing. I tailor each lesson to each student to maximize enjoyment and growth in their musical career.

I will make exceptions if a student is younger and already showing signs of a higher ability level. Individual lessons are preferable, as they allow for focused attention and a pace tailored to that particular student. I am open to small groups of two or three for guitar or brass lessons if the students have prior experience. Piano students must be taught individually.

Scheduling

• Friday afternoons from 3:20–7 pm
• Saturdays from 11 am–4 pm

Required Materials

All students must have a decent instrument in working condition, their own to use at all times and to take home to practice on. If the family of a piano student does not own a full-size piano, many inexpensive keyboard options are available. Guitar and brass students must have an instrument they own or rent. Younger, beginning guitar students should consider a nylon-string 1/2- or 3/4-size guitar, as it will be easier on the fingers and easier to hold against their bodies.

All students must have a manuscript book of music staff paper and a folder for loose pieces of sheet music and handouts. Piano students will likely also have another set of method and theory books.
Guitar students must have a chromatic tuner, picks, and a music stand.

I often purchase the books students need and hand them out. I will then let parents know exactly how much the materials cost and collect reimbursement then.