Music Lessons and Ensembles

Rhea began her violin studies at the age of five and piano studies at the age of two. She has continued to balance artistic achievement and philanthropy throughout her career; her performances have ranged from solo engagements with symphony orchestras to benefit concerts for cancer centers and galas.

At the age of twenty, Rhea made her solo debut with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ankush Kumar Bahl with the Sibelius Violin Concerto. She has enjoyed returning to the Kennedy Center stage since moving back to the DC area as
a substitute with the Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra.

Rhea is committed to sharing her music outside the concert hall through her musical philanthropic efforts. As a bronze donor of the American Cancer Society, she has organized and performed concerts for the ACS and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at
Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Rhea studied with pedagogue Paul Kantor at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she received the Eula and David Wintermann Endowed Full Scholarship. Rhea enjoyed the challenge of completing an academic and musical
education, as exemplified by her graduating position on the President’s Honor Roll with Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees and a Business Minor. She has taught privately for over ten years, including as the first violin sectional coach of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras.

Student Ages

• Violin: four and up
• Viola: four and up
• Piano: four and up

Scheduling

Rhea will be at Lowell School on Wednesday afternoons. Please get in touch to inquire about scheduling.

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 multiple-sensory approach to learning with a bel canto or Italian classical approach to singing. I specialize in teaching to 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

I am available on Tuesdays. Please get in touch to negotiate a time for lessons.

Required Materials

All students must practice for at least 15 minutes a day. Parents must be willing to assist in making sure their child is practicing.

Lauren attended high school at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Music as a student of Guarneri Quartet cellist David Soyer and a Master of Music as a student of Marcy Rosen at Mannes College of Music. Her chamber music instructors include members of the Guarneri and Juilliard String Quartets, including Michael Tree and Isidore Cohen.

Lauren has been teaching for nearly 20 years in both the Washington DC area and New York City. Her teaching style focuses on catering a program and curriculum specific to each student’s learning style, interests, and goals for music. 

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 various concerts and shows for students to showcase their talents and give them an outlet to have 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 and not overwhelm 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.

For my teaching, I prefer to pull from a variety of sources to give a well-rounded approach. I introduce many genres to help students develop a broad range of styles to enjoy playing. I cater each lesson to the individual student to allow for the most enjoyment and growth in their musical career.

Student Ages

Piano: five and up
Brass: eight and up
Guitar: eight and up
Ukulele: 
Drums/Percussion: 
Tin Whistle: 

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 pace for 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

I am available for lessons on Friday afternoons from 3:20–7 pm and 11 am–4 pm on Saturdays.

Required Materials

All students must have a decent instrument in working condition that is theirs to use at all times and can be taken 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 will often purchase the books needed and hand them out to students. I will then let parents know exactly how much the materials cost and collect reimbursement at that time.

Links to Instrument and Accessory Examples

Beginner’s Guitar Starter Pack
Beginner’s ¾ Size Acoustic Guitar
Casio 61 Key Portable Keyboard
Yamaha 61 Key Portable Keyboard
Folding Wire Music Stand  
Deluxe Traditional Music Stand
Student Model Bb Trumpet
Korg Chromatic Tuner

Once your child has mastered the basics of their instrument and met specific skill requirements, they can join a musical ensemble. Ensembles have regular opportunities to perform at assemblies and concerts, some of the year’s most popular events. Ensemble offerings range from group instrumental lessons to DJ courses to pop bands, and more.
Ensemble fees are $215 for 8 weeks of instruction.

For questions or to begin the registration process, contact Gwen Mazorow at gmazorow@lowellschool.org.