Instructor Bios – Duet with Music

David Lopez

Instruments: Drum Set, Snare Drum
Days Available: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal

Bio: David Lopez has been playing the drums since age 10 when he started lessons with Matt Thompson. During his time as a student, he worked in one of Mr. Thompson’s student ensembles as the primary percussionist as well as doing studio work with the group. After that time, Mr. Lopez began playing in other groups locally while continuing his studies at Frederick Community college. While one of our younger instructors, David has shown an unwavering dedication to music as well as to the people that come to him to learn.

Policies: For the first month of lessons, each student pays $30 per lesson before agreeing to any long-term commitment to lesson. After the first month, the student has to commit to a 6 month or one year minimum. Students at a 6 month minimum pay $110 each month. Students at one year minimum pay $100 each month. After the initial term expires, students continue at the previous rate until they cancel. Lesson fees are flat rate for the month and independent of tenants. Reschedules available upon request and availability.

Joey Moucheron

Instruments: Drum Set, Percussion, Snare Drum
Days Available: Wednesday, Friday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, PayPal, Venmo

Bio: Joey has been playing drums for more than 20 years. Of that time, Joey has been teaching music for almost 15 years. Joey started taking drum set lessons with Matt Thompson at Duet with Music when he was 10 years old and has continued a relationship and loyalty to Duet with Music ever since. While taking lessons and thereafter, Joey continued with multiple school music ensembles until graduating from Tuscarora High School. After graduation, Joey attended Shepherd University as a music education major. During his time at Shepherd University, Joey performed with many different ensembles, such as Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble to name a few. During that time, he even toured abroad with the Wind Ensemble performing in parts of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Joey also performed professional gigs with surrounding community ensembles while at Shepherd. Joey is currently the Percussion Caption Head for the Walkersville Lions Marching Band and has a relationship with most of the band directors in Frederick County.

Policies: No experience required to begin taking lessons. Lessons need to be paid for on a monthly schedule. If excused scheduling conflicts occur and we cannot come to an agreement on a make-up day, carryover of payment may be applied to the following month. However, missing a lesson without prior notification will count as a charged lesson.

Kyung Hee Park

Instruments: Piano, Voice
Days Available: Friday
Rate: $48.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, other

Bio: Kyung Hee received her DMA (Doctor of Music Art) in voice & opera performance from the University of Maryland at College Park. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Yon Sei University in Korea and was awarded a MM in voice from the New England Conservatory of Music. She performed several opera roles, including the role of Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore and the role of Pamina Papagena in Mozart’s Die Zauberflote. Both were acclaimed in review in the Washington Post and in the Korean Times. She has also appeared as a soloist, including Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Choral fantasy and Mass in c-major, Mozart’s Requiem and Cornation mass, Haydn’s Creation, Gounod’s Mass Solennelle. In addition to her work in opera and oratorio, she is a faculty member of music department at Prince George’s Community College.

Mary Kay Janson

Instruments: Piano
Days Available: Tuesday, Friday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, Zelle

Bio: Experienced teacher of piano for students grades 1 – 12 and adults. Holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and teaching experience in Idaho, Montana and Maryland. Has been active in the Frederick County Music Teachers Association and Maryland State Music Teachers Association; both are affiliated with Music Teachers National Association. Additional education through workshops and classes with master teachers and composers.

Policies: Lessons may be paid for individually or by the month. The per lesson fee for a 30 minute lesson is $25.00. If a student is ill and proper notification has been given, there will be no charge for an excused lesson. If a lesson is missed without prior notification, that lesson time will be charged to the student’s account. Lessons canceled by me will be made up or credited to the student’s account. Parents are welcome to attend their child’s lesson. Each student will be given a spiral notebook. Each week, I will write an assignment to remind the student of what needs to be worked on during each practice time the coming week. At the next lesson, I will grade each item that we go over. A student’s progress can be observed in this way. I may also send notes home on the assignment pages in the notebook. Parents, check the week’s assignment page for information send to you through the notebook. Students, feel free to contact me with any questions during the week.

Paul Grabenstein

Instruments: Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Harmonica, String Bass, Ukulele
Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Rate: $129/month ($32.25/half-hour)
Payment Methods: cash, check, PayPal

Bio: I offer a casual yet methodical learning experience that is based on setting and reaching short-term goals in the most efficient way. Drawing from traditional classical training and modern teaching methods, I provide my students the opportunity to learn the most efficient instrumental techniques and basic music theory – so that songs can be practiced, memorized and played more easily. I also encourage my students to learn to read music because it’s easy, fun and applies to all instruments. For students with more ambitious goals (who want to play in a band or audition for music school) we will focus on developing the finer skills required for success as a performer. Public performance opportunities are provided for all students to showcase their hard work! My performance experience includes rock, classical, jazz and ‘world music’ in bands and as a soloist. I am a graduate of UMBC with a B.S. cum laude in Music/Guitar Performance (Classical Guitar) where I studied with Fulbright Scholar Dr. Zane Forshee. I have had the honor to have studied with Keter Betts (bassist for Ella Fitzgerald), NEA grant recipient Ashton Fletcher, and Dr. Serap Gray (Peabody Conservatory). I have participated in workshops and master classes with Al DiMeola, Steve Morse, Billy Cobham, Zakir Hussain, Ron Pearl, Martha Masters and Jason Vieaux. I believe that music has an important place in the human experience; it is proven to be mentally enhancing, emotionally stimulating and spiritually refreshing! Feel free to contact me at Paul@PaulGrabenstein.com or 301-404-0195.

Policies: Tuition is $129 monthly for 4 or 5 weekly half-hour lessons per month.

* As of June 2021, I am fully vaccinated and I am now offering one-on-one in-person lessons. Online lessons through Facetime or Zoom are still available.

Wayne Smith

Instruments: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele
Days Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check

Bio: Wayne has been a music teacher for more than 35 years. His experience consists of harmony and theory, composition, technique, improvisation, ear training, and performance. When he began playing guitar and bass guitar he was in junior high school, studying and taking classes in music history, harmony and theory. He also began guitar classes where he studied rock and hard rock. Around that time he also began to learn banjo from some of the local music teachers. Upon reaching high school, he started playing in a jazz band and began teaching guitar and bass guitar. One of his students, Brian Forsythe, went on to become an Atlantic recording artist with the band ‘Kix’. Another student of his was Scott Ambush of the world-renown jazz band, ‘Spira Gyra’. He studied guitar with Danny Gatton, Pat Martino, Joe Pass, Joe Decarria, Chuck Corgiel, Lawrence Wooldridge, Bill Tolias, and bass guitar with one of New York’s premier bassists, Drew Gress. He attended guitar workshops with Joe Diorio and with Kenny Burell. While at Canada College in Redwood City, California, he studied traditional and 20th century harmony, composition, theory, and performance under the careful eye of Dr. Roy Kreuger, who was a student of the 20th century composer Roy Harris. He performed on stage with many different acts throughout the years. Some of them include The Four Tops, The Temptations, Herbie Hancock Group, Go Go Group EU, and Tower of Power just to name a few. Wayne’s love for music has grown more over the years. He hope to share his appreciation, passions, experiences and knowledge to each of his students as they learn and grow into established musicians.

Sheridan Harrison

Instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba
Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Friday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check

Bio: Music does a lot more for a young musician than just learning how to make sounds out of a piece of metal. It’s an audible joy, something that can be cherished for the rest of their life once learned. Learning an instrument also teaches a child the importance of responsibility, by taking care of a piece of magnificent craftsmanship. Sheridan Harrison loves sharing her love for music with others, and seeing their enjoyment flourish through learning the special art. Larry Harrison, her wonderful father and the previous brass instructor at Duet with Music, taught her and shared his love of music with her. It is for these reasons that she wants to bring that joy to someone else too!

Sheridan is an accomplished brass musician who found her love for music from her dad after being shown how to make sounds out of a trumpet at only 5 years old. She has played in a handful of professional local bands, such as the local and well-recognized Spires Brass Band, and has also been selected as an All-County Musician throughout all her years in high school. While being skilled in a concert band setting, she also specializes in jazz and improvisation performance, including the typical big band setting, as well as the “New Orleans” style after many years of playing in a professional street band, the Naptown Brass Band. She is currently attending Mount St. Mary’s for a degree in Music, focusing on performance on the euphonium. She is also very skilled on trombone, and has plenty of knowledge and experience on the trumpet.

Policies: 48-hour cancellation notice required to reschedule lesson. Excessive cancellations in one month (2 or more) can result in removal from schedule. Every effort will be made to re-schedule any cancelled lessons prior to the 48-hour notice. Payment is expected at the beginning of the first lesson of the month, for the entire month. Late payments received after the 15th of each month are subject to a $15.00 late fee, unless prior arrangements have been made. If significant amounts of time will be missed, please contact me, so that we can make arrangements to keep your slot available for when you are able to return. If the period of absence exceeds 14 days, the following months’ payment is required in advance to guarantee your time slot. $25.00 returned checks fee.

Linda Moss

Instruments: Flute
Days Available: Tuesday
Rate: $30.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, Zelle

Bio: I hold a B.S. from Frostburg State and a M.A. from Hood College in education with a concentration in music. Private teachers included Karen Lambert Blake, Sharon McMichael, and William Montgomery. An active member in the National Flute Association and Flute Society of Washington, I continue to stay updated on flute music and teaching techniques. I have been a member of Frederick orchestras for over forty years, am a member of the Frederick Flute Choir, and play for various pit orchestras and churches. I have also served as an adjudicator for various competitions and festivals throughout MD. With over 40 years of teaching experience with flute players from beginners through college level players, I gladly work with students of all ages and abilities as long as they show maintain interest and effort in making music!

Policies: Your instructor is an independent contractor. He/she establishes the available schedule, lesson plan, and tuition rate. The time above reserves teacher and studio space. No credits will be given for absences except for the following reasons: Holidays (New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), when Frederick County Public Schools are closed for students and teachers either all day or in afternoons (includes inclement weather) or if evening activities are cancelled, teacher absence. Tuition is to be paid monthly in advance with payment for the month being made on or before the first lesson for the month. When starting, students must pay for the remaining lessons in the start month, plus a full month. However, if there are three or more lessons remaining in the month, only those lessons are due when lessons begin. Notice to stop lessons is to be given 2 weeks prior to the student’s last lesson. No lessons are taught during the month of August each year in order to give both students and teacher vacation weeks and time to begin a new school year.

Joe Wills

Instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Violin, Viola, Cello
Days Available: Tuesday
Rate: $35.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, Venmo

Bio: Mr. Wills has taught instrumental music in Frederick County Public Schools for over 25 years. He has also taught private lessons at Duet with Music for over two decades. Many of his students have auditioned and qualified for all-county band and orchestra in middle and high school.

A native of Frederick County, Wills began his life-long journey for music when he started to learn the clarinet at age 10. He graduated from the University of Findlay with a B.S. in Music Education. Since then, he has performed with his church concert band and praise band for over 20 years. Joe hopes to share his love of music with all his students.

Policies: The rate is $35 per half hour, paid monthly on the first Tuesday of every month. If a lesson is missed, make up lessons will be held on Fridays starting at 4:00. In order to be successful, students are expected to practice for at least an hour a week outside of lessons on assigned material.

Elizabeth Haight

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello
Days Avalible: Saturday
Rate: $40.00
Payment Methods: cash, check, Zelle

Bio: Elizabeth has been playing the violin since the age four and has played in hundreds of concerts and shows since. Elizabeth has had the pleasure of performing in both the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore Maryland and in the Kennedy Center in Washington DC alongside the National Symphony Orchestra. She has also had extensive instruction on the viola, cello, string bass and flute. Elizabeth graduated in 2005 from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. Currently Elizabeth teaches Orchestra in two middle schools in the Howard County Public School System and performs with a variety of local music organizations on a regular basis.

Policies: 48-hours cancellation notice required for all cancellations. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of funds rendered. Excessive cancellations in one month (2 or more) can result in removal from schedule without notification. Payment is expected at the beginning of the first lesson of the month, for the entire month.

Gwyn Reynolds

Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello
Days Available: Saturday
Rate: $30/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check

Bio: Gwyn has over twenty-five years teaching private music lessons. She first began playing violin at age ten. She discovered her talent as a multi- instrumentalist as a Music Education Major, while a college student. She graduated from West Virginia University, with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree. Gwyn has orchestra experience as a violinist. Gwyn also has experience as a soloist on violin, viola, piano, and cello. She also has the ability to play up to 37 solo handbells, playing both melody and harmony. She especially enjoys playing bells at Christmas. She has played in bell choirs-and as a soloist. Gwyn enjoys teaching anyone who desires to learn music. She has helped many orchestra students advance in orchestra. She encourages students to bring their school orchestra music to lessons. Electric violin techniques can also be taught to interested students, after acoustic violin basics are learned. Gwyn enjoys playing and teaching Irish fiddle and celtic tunes on the electric violin. The students choice of music is highly encouraged.

Policies: Monthly payments are due at the beginning of the lesson at the first of each month. Makeup lessons are offered, if your child is sick. Please do not bring sick children to music lessons. I accept cash or checks. I will make every effort to do makeup lessons. A 24 hour notice is expected. If it is a no show, then your money will not be refunded. If a lesson is cancelled by me, the lesson will be credited back to the students account, or made up. Family emergencies will be considered an excused absence, with proper notice. Giving lesser than a 24 hour notice, is better than a no- show. Please call if you are unable to attend. Students should bring a notebook to lessons. I will write down the weekly practice assignments. Students are also expected to come to lessons prepared. A regular daily practice time during the week is advised. If two or more lessons are missed in a given month, the student may lose their time slot.

Zhenya Zianouka

Instruments: Viola, Violin
Days Available: Thursday
Rate: $45.00/half-hour
Payment Methods: cash, check, other

Bio: Zhenya Zianouka has always been passionate about teaching. As an intuitive instructor, she knows how to find the right approach to every individual despite the skill level and age. She consistently encourages her pupils to be positive thinkers and apply the learned skills from violin lessons like perseverance and the ability to focus to every aspect of life.

A classically trained artist, she offers individualized instruction on the violin and tailors the curriculum according to the personal goals of each student. Zhenya helps unleash musical abilities while providing a solid classical foundation. Several of her students sit First Chair Violin in youth orchestras, with others having continued their musical pursuits through higher education. Students participate in recitals and competitions

Zhenya started playing the violin at an early age. She attended the Oginsky School of Music in Belarus, where she studied violin under the tutelage of the renowned Dr. Nina Dobrovolskaya. Aside from her excellence in violin, she also advanced in piano and music theory. During her studies, she participated in classical violin competitions and appeared on stage performing contemporary music on the electric violin. After her graduation, Zhenya was accepted into the prestigious Minsk State Linguistic University, where she was recognized for her scholastic talents and foreign language proficiency. Upon moving to the United States, Zhenya was awarded a scholarship to study Violin Performance with a well-known Professor from the Peabody Conservatory Mrs. RoseAnn Lester.

Click here to download Zhenya’s policies.