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Private InstructionPrivate Instruction
Click on your preferred instrument to access the teacher bio and instrument requirements. Brass/Woodwinds – Stefan Demetriadis Musical Theatre Vocal Technique - Maura Brigham Violin/Viola - Susannah Anderson Cello and Double Bass - Matt Gold Voice - Nicole Wakefield Pearson
FOR TUITION AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION, CLICK HERE
Teacher Bios and Instrument Requirements
Vicki Leasure, started playing made-up songs on the piano when she was four years old. Formal lessons started when she turned seven, and continued through college. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Eastern Nazarene College — where she also studied voice and jazz organ. She has taught preschool through high school classes in bells, choir and piano, and private lessons in piano and voice and has been in a church choir most of her adult life. Teaching private lessons is Vicki’s passion — because she knows beyond a doubt that this is God's calling for her. A long-time member of WEAG, she currently teaches piano for the Music Academy and serves as its Administrator. Instrument Requirements: Students must have a piano or keyboard for practicing between lessons. Vicki will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument. Susannah began playing the violin through the Suzuki methoat age 11, after having played the piano for several years. Upon entering high school, she joined the school orchestra — playing with the Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond orchestras throughout her high school years as well. She continued taking formal violin lessons while attending William and Mary, where she played with numerous small groups. During her time of study in Williamsburg, she played weekly at various churches and also performed for weddings and college graduations. Following her graduation, with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a Minor in Music, Susannah taught biology for Henrico County, where she also worked with strings students both individually and in small groups. Currently a full-time graduate student at MCV, Susannah enjoys playing with small ensembles of musicians in throughout the Richmond area and shares her love of the violin — and music in general — with her students at the Music Academy. Instrument Requirements: Students need an instrument for lessons as well as practice between lessons. Susannah will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument. Maura brings a wealth of experience and ability to the Music Academy. She graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a Master's degree in Musical Theatre and, while there, earned a conservatory assistantship in Vocal Coaching, also serving as an accompanist for a number of voice department studios. In addition to private voice studies with Bill Reed of Circle in the Square Theatre (NYC) and Mary Saunders (Boston Conservatory), she privately studied physical acting/character development with master teacher Erika Batdorf. Maura enjoys theatre as both a performer and teacher. Particularly gifted in the musical comedy-style, she teaches Broadway Vocal Technique and other classes for the Dramatic Arts Academy and private lessons in Musical Theatre Vocal Technique for the Music Academy. WEAG audiences will remember her as slightly-past-her-prime Rockette, Roxie Monroe, from GCN 2007's Starlight 65. Instrument Requirements: Students need only to bring themselves, a pencil and bottled drinking water. Eric has been playing the guitar for 39 years and teaching for 20 years. In addition to eight years of training at VCU in classical and jazz guitar, he has also received training in both classical and jazz theory and ear training. Eric regularly uses his gifts in ministry outreach performance, playing in praise and worship bands and leading worship teams. Other experience includes Richmond area studio work with local bands. Eric has been on the Music Academy teaching staff for several years. He teaches both guitar and bass guitar. Instrument Requirements: Students must have an instrument for lessons and practicing between lessons. Eric will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument. Stefan Demetriadis studied music at East Carolina University and Virginia Commonwealth University and was bass trombonist in VCU’s acclaimed Jazz Orchestra I. During and after his studies, he toured with many nationally-known groups and recorded in New York City, Washington, D.C., Nashville and Los Angeles. In May 2007, he was invited to represent Virginia’s talent and musical heritage at the Royal Welcome of Queen Elizabeth II at the Virginia State Capitol. Stefan continues to play locally, in bands and as a member of the WEAG orchestra for services and productions, including GCN. As a teacher, Stefan takes pride in introducing students to the world of music and encouraging them to excel. All of his lesson students who have applied to music schools have been accepted; and, his students regularly place in city, county, regional and state music events. Stefan is an assistant band director at Woodberry Forest School, instructing brass and directing the jazz ensemble. During marching band season, Stefan instructs low brasses at award-winning Cosby and Douglas Freeman High Schools. Stefan also directs the Show Choir combo band at Clover Hill High School which has earned the ‘Best Band/Combo’ award in three 2009 competitions. Stefan teaches brass and woodwinds for the Academy. Instrument Requirements: Students need an instrument for lessons as well as practice between lessons. Stefan will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument. From 2007-2008, Matt taught private bass lessons and coached chamber ensembles at Sound Encounters and the Ottawa Suzuki Institute. He presently teaches bass sectionals for the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra and Youth Chamber Orchestra, substitute teaches for Kelly Ali, Professor of Bass at Virginia Commonwealth University, and teaches Cello and Double Bass for the Music Academy. Instrument Requirements: Students need an instrument for lessons as well as practice between lessons. Matt will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice f instrument. Chris Parker, an accomplished drummer and percussionist, graduated from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, now Shenandoah University, and has since applied his music studies across a wide variety of styles and venues — playing steel drum, vibes, percussion and drums ranging in size from shakers in his hands to timpani. He has performed with many groups around Richmond and his drum set work has set the beat for many musical theater performances, including shows at Barksdale Theater and Swift Creek Mill Playhouse. Chris utilizes his gifts regularly in ministry outreach performance, including playing conga in the Drums No Guns outreach program for inner-city youth, playing on drum set and/or percussion in WEAG worship services and playing timpani in the WEAG Orchestra on Easter and Palm Sundays. Chris has taught private lessons since 1998 and has been a drum and percussion instructor at the Music Academy since its opening in 2000. He enjoys teaching aspiring drummers of all ages, from elementary-schoolers to adults ― stressing the rudiments of music instruction in a welcoming and motivating environment. Instrument Requirements: Students may begin with practice pad and sticks. As the student continues, Chris will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument Nicole Wakefield is a homegrown WEAG musician who began developing her God-given gifts and ministry potential at a young age as a member of the WEAG Youth Choir. She continued her musical training at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee from which she holds a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. Upon returning to Richmond, she spent two years working for Theatre IV as a touring actress. Nicole’s joy for teaching was discovered through close work with the Youth Choir at WEAG, first as assistant musical director and eventually as its musical director. Nicole is on the teaching staff of the Music Academy, where she continues to serve the Lord with the talents He has given her and equip others to do the same. Instrument Requirements: Students need only to bring themselves, a pencil and bottled drinking water.
All lessons are $75.00 per month, which includes four 30-minute lessons. Lessons occur on a weekly basis on a day and at a time that is agreed between teacher and student/parent. In five-week months, lessons are held during the first four weeks only; however, teacher and student may agree to make up a missed lesson during the fifth week. Instrument Requirements
Each student must have his/her own personal instrument for lessons and in order to practice between lessons. Specific requirements are noted within the bio of each instrument’s teacher. Also, instructors are happy to advise the student/ parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument.
Registration
Please contact Vicki Leasure, Music Academy Administrator, in order to schedule music lessons at a time that is available on the instructor’s schedule and convenient for the student. Vicki may be reached at (804)754-0734 or music@weag.org. Please be prepared to provide the following information: student's schedule, age and previous music experience (if any), and both a phone number and an email address. After a lesson day/time and start date have been decided, the student/parent will receive a confirmation e-mail containing all the information needed to get started. We also will attach 1) a copy of the Student Policies and 2) a Student Registration Form. The completed Student Registration Form, along with the first month’s lesson payment, should be placed in the drop box outside of the Academies office either before or on the day of the first lesson. |
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