DoRayMi Lessons

Voice-We have an orientation period which lasts for a couple lessons to determine the students unique vocal strengths and challenges.  During this time we give them an overview of the voice and how it works, and warmups tailored to help them meet their initial goals.  If the student needs it, we begin work on ear training to help with pitch matching problems.  We also select repetoire (songs to sing). OUr exercises may be focused around a muscle group, such as the jaw, tongue, breathing, ect depending upon the students needs.  All of these muscles interact to impact the student's sound so it is important to address each one in detail and provide the student with warmups and at home resources that he or she can use to master full control over his or her voice.

With kids under 10 or so we do not go in to in depth analysis of the voice.  Much of that will not be understood.  Instead we use playful movement and imagery exercises around a certain theme to teach the voice the muscle control it needs such as animal sounds, theme parks, and more.

Piano

With adults, we will focus on theory, repertoire, and sightreading.  Most adults are fairly self motivated so we try to help them move as quickly as we can towards their goals.

With kids we keep the lessons very playful and use games, visual tools, listening exercises and more to teach theory, sightreading, playing technique.  We also learn about composers and spend some time interpreting and appreciating historic musical compositions.  It really is a multimedia experience.

Songwriting/Theory

Theory is always taught alongside, if not before songwriting.  It is important that students have the tools to be able to articulate and record the music they imagine. We also will learn improvisational skills and solfege to help the studetn uncover and notate melodies that he or she may have in her head. We will learn the rules of harmony and arrangment, and enter into frank discussions about how the song can be improved upon, once the foundations are created.

Guitar

Tab, staff and chords will be taught in guitar.  With kids, the same playful approach used to teach piano will be used to teach staff reading and notation.  

Clarinet, Flute and Sax:

Students 9 and up are welcome to take woodwind lessons. Our studio is open to children, teens and adults of all ages! Our clarinet teacher, Emily, can teach Eb Clarinet, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone or flute. Beginners will learn how to read music fluently, develop correct technique, proper tone, and instrument care during the lessons, while intermediate and advanced students will expand their technical skills through the study of repertoire, learning everything from classical to popular music. Techniques to better understand how music is structured are emphasized so students can read a piece more quickly and with detail. We encourage student participation in band and jazz groups. An emphasis on music theory and on learning about composers lives offers a strong foundation to learning the instrument.

Drums

When teaching percussion students, our percussion teacher Deborah asks the student what that students‘ percussion goals are, making it fun and rewarding to reach those goals. Goals for studying percussion privately range from making first chair in school band, making center snare in marching band, making all state orchestra/band, preparing for college auditions, or simply playing for fun. Deborah looks at the student as a whole, tailoring each lesson to each students’ level. she also checks into see if a student learns easiest by listening, watching, or playing a fun new piece for a students‘ lesson. She uses the students’ favorite style of music to teach with (marching, jazz, funk, rock, Latin, classical, etc.) Deborah teaches Drumset, mallet instruments, snare drum, timpani, & other percussion instruments. You, the student, can start with simple equipment, such as a practice pad, sticks, metronome, & branch out from there as you develop. Deborah uses rewards when a student accomplishes a new level of playing in one’s lessons, & fosters a positive learning experience.

Ukulele

Our Ukulele Lessons teach students to read both staff and tab music, proper playing technique, chord positions and fingering patterns. We practice stumming patterns, self accompaniment, riffs and different scales. Students can select their desired music for lessons, and the teacher walks them through a simplified version if they are a beginner.  Kids lessons, as in guitar and piano and voice, are playful and use games, imaginary play and activities for engage the younger student.

We also teach master's classes will include a monthly speaker from the music industry.  Please visit my website for more information. doraymilessons.com

Rosalind (voice, guitar, uke, songwriting, piano): 

Rosalind Hayes graduated summa cum laude from Westminster Choir College in Princeton New Jersey, famed for their world renowned choirs and choral conductors.   During this time she had the opportunity to perform in venues such as the Kimmel Center and Carnegie Hall with the world’s leading composers and orchestras.  She has since performed at various small venues and began a work as a private instructor in 2013.  Rosalind also completed a master’s degree in music therapy, receiving her CBMT shortly after graduation and she has had a full range of experience working with children and adults with special needs and learning difficulties. Rosalind  started teaching through AIM academy in Conshohocken as a teacher's aide and music therapist.  She enjoyed working with the kids so much I decided to continue and start my own private lessons business after she completed her master's. Rosalind teaches piano, voice, guitar and music composition/theory.  She loves the challenge of adapting music lessons to meet the student or toddlers unique learning styles and abilities.  She owns Doraymi lessons, and her students have gone on to study at music colleges around the country.  Currently she is mentoring and writing exclusive content for international music app Tonara.

Emily (Sax, Flute, Clarinet):

Emily M. Borus, a native of metro Detroit, Michigan, has been teaching clarinet, saxophone, and flute since 1996.  She possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Clarinet Performance from the University of Michigan and a Post-Bachelor Certification for K-12 Instrumental Music Education from Wayne State University. Her private instructors include Douglas Cornelsen and Theodore Oien from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Claire Eichhorn from da Camera of Washington, D.C. In addition to teaching private lessons, Mrs. Borus has been serving professionally as a band director and arts administrator.  She held positions in Michigan directing bands at St. Lawrence Catholic School and at Rochester High School. Her professional positions as an arts administrator include working for the Nashville Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and Spoleto Festival USA. Besides teaching at Doraymi Lessons, Mrs. Borus serves as the woodwind instructor for the Rochester Conservatory of Music and Evola Music Lessons Studios.

Emily Borus is also a performing musician, serving as the Principal Clarinetist for the Royal Oak Concert Band, an Alto Saxophonist for the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra and is the clarinetist for the woodwind quintet Classic Winds. Mrs. Borus’ teaching style is based on understanding each students’ individual needs, interests and learning style. Her curriculum includes a strong foundation in fundamentals, coupled with ample time to explore chamber music and music that is favored by the student. Every genre from classical to pop to cultural music from around the world is part of learning process. Mrs. Borus is excellent at helping her students understand musicianship, style, and technique and all her students play with a maturity beyond their years and experience.

Mrs. Borus strives in her lessons to share her love of music and instill an enjoyment of playing a musical instrument. Her goal for each student is to find a passion and joy for instrumental music that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Noni (guitar, voice, piano, songwriting):

Philadelphia-born and New York City-raised musician :Noni Rene produced her own sound of “Grunge-Soul” while a student at Lincoln University.

In June 2014, she released a joint EP with Washington, DC producer NishoSoul, titled “Coming To Paz”. The conceptual Lo-Fi Alternative R&B album is available for streaming and download exclusively at NoniRene.com. The following summer saw the release of her upbeat single “Good Vibes”.

Noni has opened for Hip Hop legends Big Daddy Kane (2013) and Rakim (2014) at the ODUNDE Festival. In 2014, she was the Viewer’s Choice to open for Tamar Kali and Jessica Care Moore at Bedford Stuyvesant’s STooPS Festival. In 2015 and 2016, :Noni performed as a semi-finalist for the AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands. Also in 2016, :Noni Rene was the runner-up in the Queens Library Battle of the Bands. Since, she has performed concerts at numerous Queens Library locations, and returned to the BOTB twice as a judge.

In 2018 :Noni began performing for Sofar Sounds in multiple cities, and attending The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

On March 28, 2019, :Noni Rene recorded an exclusive direct-to-vinyl live session with Leesta Vall Sound Recordings. Also in 2019, she led a US tour titled “The Un:Nōn Tour” (read: “Unknown”).

Currently, she is preparing her upcoming studio release.

Deborah (percussion and drums):

Deborah Loach has taught private & group percussion lessons for over 20 years. Deborah’s students has been accepted to The Eastman School of Music, The Blair School of Music @ Vanderbilt University, The University of Alabama, & The Florida State University, among others, for percussion music major degrees. Deborah is head of percussion at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she teaches collegiate private percussion lessons, & coaches the UAH Percussion Ensemble & UAH Steel Pan Ensemble.

Deborah also performs with the Nashville Symphony (extra percussion), The Mobile Symphony (section percussion) & The Huntsville Symphony (extra percussion).

Deborah also recently started a chamber ensemble, Chamber Happenings, to keep the Arts vital during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Deborah is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music.

There are two pricing systems.  Pay as you go and monthly payment plans.  Monthly payment plans are a flat monthly rate but reserve a weekly spot for the student (often neccessary because I am very busy!).  Pay as you go requires the student to select a new time for a lesson every week depending upon the availability.

Monthly

160 a month for half hour

300 a month for 60 min

These would be for once a week lessons.  Missed lessons can be made up at any point

Pay as You Go

40 for 30min

70 for 60min

payment is due at the time of the lesson.  24 hours notice must be given in the event of a cancellation

Please see our individual teacher bios aboveunder education. :)

All kinds!  Seriously. We have taught everyone ages 4-89. We have taught students with special needs, we have taught students who have performed professionally and those who couldn't match a single pitch when they started.  We have taught those looking for lessons as a hobby and those who want to perform as a living.  Everyone!

Our recently launched online masters classes are a new project we are especially fond out. Check out this one for voice here: https://fb.watch/56z1w5rv91/

Absolutely ask about the teacher's education.  For voice definitely ask if they have an understanding of vocal anatomy because so many teachers do not, and their students do not improve very quickly because they do not have an understanding of the exercises they are doing, and sometimes this even causes harm!!

Ask what they will do to help you get performance experience, if that is what you want. Ask how they help kids stay interested in lessons.

OUr studio believes that you should  certainly voice your needs very clearly and upfront to your teacher.  You need to have a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding for lessons to work. Also don't be afraid to ask your teacher to do things differently if you don't understand something or if there is an area you would like to focus on more.  If they aren't able to teach you in that area, they aren't the right teacher for you!

This is why our studio has open office hours at the end of each month, as well as an online booking system for 15 minute chats to gauge student progress and set goals. We keep those goals on our practice tracking app and use lesson recordings to make sure they are being addressed :)