Private Lessons

Accepting New Students

Biography

Joyce Hamilton has taught Instrumental Strings in the public schools in Akron, Ohio, Arlington, Texas, and General Music in North Carolina, grades kindergarten through high school. She has also played violin in orchestras in Akron, Ohio, Lima, Ohio, and Fort Worth, Texas. She is trained in Suzuki violin pedagogy and has taught Suzuki violin for over 20 years. She has taught Suzuki and Traditional violin in her home and has taught violin at Westchester for three years. Mrs. Hamilton is a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois.

Policies

Welcome to the violin studio at Westchester Country Day School. I look forward to teaching children for a positive musical experience.

Parents are very important in the music lessons. It is encouraged but not mandatory that they be part of the violin lesson in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. They can then take information home and be the teacher there as your child practices 4-5 times per week 10-30 minutes each time depending on level. Practice is important as it reinforces the lessons and helps the student move forward. The students will need to listen to recordings of the music as well.

I will be teaching the Suzuki violin method, where I will initially work a lot on obeying instructions, working with rhythms and holding the violin correctly. We will learn music by ear first and then by the notes.

You can rent or purchase violins at Moore Music (615 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC, 27401, 336-274-4636, mooremusiccompany.com). They will measure your child for the correct size of violin. The music book will be ordered through the school office once the students are registered for lessons. Your child will need a small cloth to wipe rosin off the strings, which can be put into the violin case, and a notebook. They will need to bring these to the lesson each week.

Please contact me if you have any questions. I’m excited to teach your children and look forward to meeting you.

Returning Students Only

Biography

Andy McGeagh brings a warm, holistic approach to music education, rooted in both research and real-world experience. With undergraduate and master’s degrees in music education from UNC Greensboro, Andy has taught thousands of students across North Carolina and New York in schools, private lessons, and group settings. Andy’s teaching emphasizes creativity, musicianship, and student confidence, meeting each learner where they are. In addition to guitar instruction, Andy also offers musicianship lessons to help students build a strong musical foundation. With experience running a private music-teaching studio and a loaded general music background, Andy creates an engaging, individualized, and supportive environment where every student can thrive.

Policies

All string instruments come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. I’m happy to consult with students and families to help select the best instrument to begin with. I am available throughout the school year, upon request, to meet and discuss sizing, style, and individual needs.

A student-owned instrument is required for lessons. However, please consult with me before purchasing, as many poorly manufactured instruments are on the market. I can help ensure your child starts with a quality instrument that supports their musical growth. If your child already owns an instrument, I will evaluate it and let you know if any issues need to be addressed once lessons begin.

Students are encouraged to practice for 20–30 minutes at least four times per week. Parental support is essential in helping manage and encourage consistent practice. This time is crucial for building muscle memory and retaining key musical concepts. Parents are welcome to observe lessons and participate as needed to ensure successful, guided practice at home. All one-on-one lessons will be digitally recorded and shared with families.

All private lesson students are expected to perform in two recitals each year—typically held in January and May. Specific dates and details will be shared in advance and can also be found on the WCDS website. Accommodations will gladly be made for students who need them.

Parent participation and observation are critical to keeping students on track, especially for the youngest and least experienced musicians. It is the parent’s responsibility to help their child stay accountable for what they are practicing at home each day.

Accepting New Students

Biography

Jaime English has been teaching voice since 1999. She received her Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music in 2001 and her Master of Music from UNC Greensboro in 2005. She has been a member of Bel Canto Company since 2009 and is a Staff Singer at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in High Point. She also has sung with the UNC Greensboro Chamber Singers, Eastman Chorale, Pittsburgh’s Junior Mendelssohn Choir, and All-East Honors Chorus, as well as having played cello with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, and PMEA All-State Orchestra. In addition to performing and giving private voice lessons, Jaime also has experience conducting choral ensembles and teaching Advanced Placement Music Theory at Westchester.

Policies

I have an extensive background in classical technique and also teach proper, healthy belt technique as well. I am comfortable teaching music from all genres and styles while focusing on developing a beautiful and unique sound for each student and maintaining a healthy, flexible voice. Interested students will also learn to self-accompany, either on piano or guitar.

I believe music is essential in education, as it teaches self-discipline, improves mental function, and enriches the soul. As a voice teacher, I believe in teaching healthy technique and opening doors to many genres, as well as fostering creativity and self-expression through composition. I encourage students to participate in choral and dramatic groups to hone their craft, as well as to help push them past their selfimposed limitations. As a cello teacher, I encourage involvement in orchestras and chamber groups, as they teach teamwork and develop listening skills. Music is such an incredible form of personal expression, and I aspire to help my students find their true musical voices and share them with others.

I feel that performance is an integral part of music education and will make sure that my students are given ample opportunity to perform, whether it be at a recital, open mic night, as part of a choir or orchestra, or in a musical production to nurture each of my student's performance abilities.

Music is fun and the lessons should be, too. To make lessons fun, however, hard work must be put in outside our weekly time in the studio. I expect students to spend time practicing daily to ensure that they see results. Every student is unique, so I work with a variety of methods and concepts to ensure that I am building a solid understanding of music in my students.

Because of the physiology of the young voice, I accept students in fifth grade and above, though third and fourth graders may be accepted into the studio after a trial lesson showing they are physically and mentally ready for the demands of lessons and practice.

Accepting New Students

Biography

Instructor information coming soon

Policies

Piano lessons are offered to students of all ages. Lesson content is tailored to the specific needs of the individual.

Students receive one 30-minute lesson per week, combining private and group instruction as determined by the instructor. In order to be successful and experience progress, students are to attend each lesson with all current music and materials. Leaming to play the piano is an ongoing process that includes not only the lesson but consistent at-home practice (4-6 days a week). The instructor works with each student to determine how much practice is needed and to establish effective practice techniques.

Having a piano in the home is a requirement for taking piano lessons. At-home piano practice must follow the guidelines and assignments given by the instructor.

While not a requirement, we strongly encourage parent participation in music lessons with pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade students. It is the parent's responsibility to understand how and what to practice with their young child each day at home.