Karen Wood

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Music can aid:
Relaxation, Recreation, Motivation, Celebration, and Concentration.

I have always loved music.

Music calls to my whole self - body, mind and soul - and connects with me in fundamental ways.

Whether as instructor, performer, composer, listener, or in some other capacity, my life path is intimately connected to music.

Thank you for considering exploring and sharing music with me through piano and/or singing lessons together.

You can read more about me in the sections that follow.

Please feel free to contact me for more information.

My Musical Education Background

I began singing when I was still playing in my playpen. My piano instruction began later - at age 5. One of my first piano teachers was Morton Estrin of Hofra University in New York. By 8th grade, I began study with Lea Mirabella in Bowie. At University of Maryland, I studied Piano and Voice, earning a Bachelor of Music in Performance. I also studied music at Berklee School of Jazz in Boston, and taught at Camp Minnowbrook for the Arts and Sciences in Lake Placid, NY.

I enjoy performing, including music of various styles, as well as in collaboration with other musicians. I sing and accompany myself on piano at various gigs, and have performed in connection with dinner theater, community theaters, wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as accompanying other performers on piano.  

Genres and Subjects Taught

Usually students prefer to concentrate on performance - which is fine with me! To me, any areas of importance to my students are crucial to focus on in our lessons. I teach students who want to perform classical pieces, and/or any other style/genre of music.

In addition to performing, I also encourage students to become well-rounded in their musical education. By that, I mean that we also study and practice together the following areas, so that a student has explored many different aspects of music, such as: ear training, theory, composition, history, memorization, musical styles, etc. This is important because, even if performance is the only area of study desired, study of these other aspects of music will greatly aid in the ease and speed of performance achievement.

Lesson Rates

I offer 30 minute lessons for $45; 45 minute lessons for $55, and one hour lessons for $65. This assumes the student usually has one lesson per week. The importance of attending weekly lessons is in order to avoid wrong practice or forming bad habits.

Young children often do best with half hour lessons; adolescents and adults usually benefit most from a full hour.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I enjoy working with students of all ages, abilities, and levels of achievement. The study of music can be beneficial to all people in very many ways. Studies reveal that music lessons often have the effect of:

o increasing a person's mental acuity
o increasing a student's academic success at school;
o providing therapy for a number of different conditions,
including arthritis, stress, shyness, depression, etc.

as well as many other benefits!

Most important of all, it can (and it SHOULD) provide a lot of ENJOYMENT! As a teacher, it is my number one priority to facilitate this particular outcome!

My Certifications and Awards

Bachelor of Music degree, University of Maryland and study at Berklee School of Jazz.

40 years teaching experience, children and adults.

Professional performance experience in many genres, from soloist to music director.

My Musical Influences

I have loved music from the time I played in my playpen (or so I'm told). My parents and grandparents also loved music of varied styles - yet I feel that the biggest influence on me was music itself! Music is very moving to me, as it first moved me to jump up and down (while holding onto the rail!) in my playpen. A very few years later, I did a lot of personal research to educate myself about musical timing - while swinging on the swing in our backyard and singing. Ever since, my connection with music has continued to grow and to deepen, as well as my fascination and passion to experience music both as expressive performer and as appreciative listener.

Service Area

Ethel S
Silver Spring, MD

Karen has helped my health improve. I studied music in Dallas, TX at Richland College. It all stopped in 2004 preparing to move back to metro DC. Last year she restored my brain. I am now a complete music student that I was ten years ago. Including composition.

Kathy C
Silver Spring, MD

Karen Wood has been my piano teacher for the past six months. In that time, I have learned a great deal. Besides learning to read and play music, I am learning to appreciate music as well. I would highly recommend Karen as a teacher to anyone seeking piano lessons.

Megan C
Rockville, MD

Karen Wood has been teaching piano to my now 7 year old son for the last couple of years. She has a gentle way about her that is very effective for this age group. I particularly appreciate that rather than teaching with a drill and kill approach, she pays a lot of attention to finding songs and exercises that will continue to engage the interest of my son. She is patient when his attention wanes, and provides the repetition he seems to need while keeping lessons fun and interesting. While my experience with Karen has been mostly with my son, I have seen her teach students of all ages, from younger to older adults. In all cases she develops personal relationships with her students that allows her to tailor her teaching style to their needs.