About
Justin is an active performer in the Metropolitan area. He has worked with several different music acts. He has lead rock groups, once opening for the famous Jefferson Starship. He has conducted orchestras for musical theater, coordinated and performed church music programs, plays accordion for farmer's markets, restaurants, Oktoberfest, and coffee houses, plays jazz for private events, hotels, weddings, and parties frequently, and studied classical Indian Hindustani music to perform on harmonium and sitar, once even for the Kennedy Center.
Justin has been an active educator with kids for most of his live. With more than 13 years of experience, he started volunteering to tutor homeless children in high school. For over 10 years he worked with the Boy Scouts of America, teaching in the nature center and shooting range to eventually running and administrating these camps. Now Justin can focus on teaching what he loves, music.
Justin usually keeps a teaching studio of 35-45 students. Every Sunday morning he serves at Saint Matthew’s United Methodist of Annandale playing keyboard for the modern service. Every Monday Justin plays accordion at Tryst Coffee House in Adam’s Morgan 8-10 PM. Every Tuesday afternoon he leads a sing-along at Tall Oaks Assisted Living in Reston.
I love teaching music and working with different people. Everyone has their own goals and interests so it is fun and exciting to shape training to best bring joy and discipline to mkae more music in the world!
Photos and videos
Reviews
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James C.
Sarah R.
James T.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For online or studio lessons in Centreville, VA (Studio lessons are open, we are vaccinated in this house!)
$35 for 30 minutes
$53 for 45 minutes
$70 for 60 minutes
For in home lessons (teacher travels to you), the rates are the same, but +$1 for each minute of the estimated commute. So every situation varies.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
M.M. in Jazz Piano Pedagogy from George Mason University
B.A. Music, Jazz Studies Minor, from George Mason University
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For in home lessons, the rate is
$50 for 30 minutes
$65 for 45 minutes
$75 for 60 minutes
For online lessons
$35 for 30 minutes
$65 for 45 minutes
$75 for 60 minutes
How did you get started teaching?
I started tutoring for a church homeless shelter in middle school at first. Afterwards, I devoted 10 summers of my life in being a camp counsoler and program director for the Boy Scouts of America. After enjoying work with kids for so many years, I finally started teaching what I love most to students, music! I have taught music in group classes, public schools, private schools, daycares, and privately.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with many different students throughout the years. I am happy to children as young as young as four years old. I also teach advanced students and adults very frequently. My performance in assisted living homes has mademe a great teacher of older styles to senoirs. My expereince working with kids at camps has made me great with kids. My experience playing music around the world has me great teacher with different styles from the Middle East, South Asia, Centrel and South America, Europe, and many more.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love performing for people a lot. I perform weekly in many different places, allowing me to interact and understand what music and styles people enjoy the most. One of the biggest events I ever performed at what a Spanish rock show with salsa, ska, cumbia, and soca music. It was so much fun and I learned so much new music and styles. These adventrues in performing always expand my mind and repertoire as a teacher.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be prepared to be honest about what you are trying to learn and what resources you have at hand. Most teachers concern about teaching in a perfect situation. I worry about teaching music for YOUR situation.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students need to think about how they learn best. What resources they favor. Do they like learning from a book, or the convenience of an ipad, tablet, or computer. What kind of music do they want to play.