Fall 2023

Happy August!

My altered summer schedule will be in effect for the next two weeks as students prepare for MCYO Auditions. Current students: please go ahead and schedule a lesson or two before the audition such that we can make sure your student is adequately prepared. My normal schedule will resume after August 21 - please only schedule lessons during the times you typically have had lessons in the past.

Scott Herman, Andrea Cameron, and I are in the process of arranging a mock audition/masterclass for my and Scott's studios - this will take place on Monday, August 21 from 4-6pm at Frost Middle School in Rockville. I understand that this may be after your student has auditioned for MCYO, but it is unfortunately the only day that works out. Scott and I have worked out that we will have 6 total students presenting at the masterclass - these spots are currently filled.

I will most likely be taking new students in the Fall (after MCYO auditions) with limited availability in my schedule. New this year: I will not be offering lessons at students’ homes on Sundays - this day is reserved only for lessons at my house in Silver Spring. Additionally, I am raising my lesson fees across the board by $10 in order to keep up with increasing demand, inflation, etc.

Finally, I will be staying more strict to the studio contract this year; it is the expectation that all students audition for their local youth orchestra (MCYO, AYP, PVYO, etc.) and for County-Wide (All-County/Honors) and State-Wide (All-State) ensembles. Students that do not at least audition for these ensembles (as participation/admission is not guaranteed!) may be let go from the studio. From my perspective and experience, having a private teacher for the sake of basic maintenance for school orchestra classes isn’t the most rewarding experience for either student or private teacher, especially as a bassist. Young bass students tend to flourish more as an ensemble player outside of school (since this mirrors, granted on a much smaller scale, the professional world).

Happy practicing!