*Now Teaching IN-PERSON at Bill's Music!
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Name: Lena Boyd
Instruments taught: Piano, Voice & Theory
Rate: $35 per ½ hour, $60 per hour
Ages Taught: 6 and up (A trial lesson is recommended for students under 6)
Teaching since: 2022
Teaching at Bill’s since: 2026
Experience playing music: While attending classes full time at James Madison University, Lena sang in multiple choirs, including the University Women’s Chorus, the Treble Chamber Choir, and the JMU Chorale. She gave a recital in February of 2018, which can be heard here! She was also employed at the box office of the University’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, where she gained an in-depth understanding of the day to day procedures involved in running a performing arts venue. During her collegiate career, Lena worked with the HRW Music Group, a record label based in Atlanta that helps young, at-risk teens realize their dreams of becoming recording musicians. She worked closely on developing marketing strategies, performing market research, and utilizing various social media platforms to maximize the company’s visibility. She later held the title of Management and Social Media Intern at the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, where she gained experience in maintaining social networking sites, concert promotion, and advertising. Lena worked as a PR Assistant for Bucklesweet for two years after graduating from college, where she learned the intricacies of promoting the careers of musicians in every genre and field. In September of 2022, desiring to get back to music education, Lena started her own private studio, teaching voice and piano students of all ages. She tailored lessons to each individual student's needs and goals, while building a studio of self-prospected students dedicated to enhancing their musical abilities. From April of 2023 onwards she has held several teaching positions at various music schools throughout the DMV, including International School of Music, Music & Arts, and School of Rock.
Genres of music taught: Classical, Contemporary, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Musical Theater
Education: Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Music Industry, James Madison University
Personal teaching style/philosophy: My goal as a teacher is to provide each student with the tools and confidence to grow their own unique, individual performance style while having a blast playing music! I strive to achieve this goal through high-quality individual education that is engineered to grow the student’s musical technique, overall musical knowledge, and confidence performing. Patience, a good ear, and a vast musical background have provided me with the skills to teach to the best of my ability.
At the beginning of every new lesson, I establish the basic foundations of singing or playing piano, which include but are not limited to proper breathing technique, appropriate stance for healthy performance, ways to maintain vocal health, and some basics of written music. In the following lessons, I aim to instill consistent practicing habits and ask questions to clarify any issues that may arise during their practice. It is my goal to help my students set high expectations for themselves and celebrate their achievements with them as they come. In more advanced lessons, we will delve into the nuances of lyrical meaning focusing on the successful delivery of textual context to the audience for voice students, and dynamic range as well as advanced performance techniques for piano students. Throughout this process, it is of the utmost importance for me to understand the student's learning style and what helps them progress more effectively. I achieve this through observation, thoughtful questioning, and explorations of a student’s abilities and practice habits from week to week.
There are many aspects of musical ability that I aim to foster and grow throughout my instruction, but the most important of them all is love and appreciation for music as a whole. I aim to help each student nurture their passion for music in a way that is most effective for them. Because of this I teach a wide range of styles, from classical, to jazz, to musical theater. I take great joy in being supportive to my students so that they find their voice and enjoy themselves along the way.
Influenced by these artists: Alicia Creti, JP Cooper, Nectar Woode, Stan Walker, Don West, Alison Krauss, Olivia Dean, GoldFord, Leon Bridges, Stevie Nicks, Hiatus Kaiyote