Private Lessons & Coaches in Columbia, MD

From concert halls to your living room, I've spent the last decade sharing my passion for piano. As a professional pianist, I offer my expertise to students of all levels, fostering a fun and engaging environment for growth. Let's unlock your musical potential together.

"Alex has helped me to pick up right where I left off in my piano playing and challenged me to more difficult pieces! I learned Fur Elise off of a previous lesson book but it was more of a simpler version. Alex saw that I liked it a lot and showed me the real version with these sections that are hard but fun!! I’m glad I am able to continue my lessons with him.

Leyu Tian, a Chinese pianist, who performs as a soloist, participant in chamber music, and an accompanist. in an array of modalities. This is a testament of his flexibility and open mindedness and open heartedness to varying modalities and different kinds of music. His passion for piano performance creates this limitless attitude where he refuses to limit himself to one way of playing the piano. Leyu Tian has performed Beethoven piano concerto No.3 in C minor with the Macao Symphony Orchestra at the Macao Cultural Centre’s Grand Auditorium and Rachmaninoff piano concerto No.3 in D minor with the Shanghai Philharmoniker at the He Luting Hall. His repertoire encompasses not only great classics, but also innovative new works such as Dance Fury composed by Ping Gao, Instand d’un Opéea de Pékin composed by Qigang Chen, and The Ending of Cloud composed by Yuxuan Dong. As a chamber musician and an accompanist, he played piano trios and quartets in master classes and concerts, and accompanied string, woodwind, and singer works including Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Dvořák, Saint Saëns, Brahms, Schubert, and Schoenberg He was the recipient of several awards for his performances. In 2017, he won the Macau Grand Finals of the first PETROF International Piano Competition, winning four categories of championships respectively. In 2015, he won the special prize in the professional group final of the 8th Shanghai Youth International Piano Competition and the first prize in the professional group final of the Northwest Division of the 7th Steinway Piano Competition Currently, Leyu Tian is a first year graduate student at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studies with Professor Alexander Shtarkman. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano performance from Shanghai Conservatory of Music with professor Yingdi Sun, where he was the recipient of the Shanghai People’s Scholarship, Yamaha scholarship and Ende Niu Scholarship. He studied at the Music Middle School Affiliated with Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Professor William Chen. His performance has received guidance from many masters including Ralf Gothóni, William Nabore, Jean-claude Vanden Eynden, Webb Wiggins,Hong-Kuan Chen, Chen Pi-hsien and Ernest So.

With a foundation in European conservatory training and ongoing studies in the United States, I approach both teaching and performance as deeply interconnected disciplines rooted in perseverance, empathy, and authenticity. Having completed the second level of the Romanian Pedagogy Modules, which qualify graduate students to teach at both pre-college and college levels, my pedagogy is guided by the example of my outstanding mentors: Angela Pascu, Daniel Goiti, Stefan Arnold, and Boris Slutsky. My approach views virtuosity as a powerful tool: never an end in itself, but a means to facilitate meaningful and honest expression. My experience as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist, improviser, and conductor gives me a multifaceted approach to music and education. Aside from refining their understanding of those innermost, intuitive aspects of musical architecture, I aim to encourage students of all ages to engage critically with the score, develop informed interpretations, and cultivate artistic independence. By fostering resilience, intellectual curiosity, and self-awareness, I prepare my students not only for the demands of the profession but also for a lifelong, sustainable relationship with their art, grounded in purpose, reflection, and an unwavering respect for the power of music to connect across barriers.

Having graced the world's stages as a professional pianist, I bring a decade of experience and a contagious passion to every lesson. My approach blends technical mastery with joyful exploration, empowering students of all levels to find their unique musical voice. Let's embark on a rewarding musical journey together!

From concert halls to cozy studios, I've spent the last 18 years sharing my passion for piano with aspiring musicians of all ages. As a professional pianist, I bring a wealth of experience and performance techniques to each lesson, fostering a nurturing environment where students can thrive and discover the magic within themselves and the music. Let's embark on a rewarding musical journey together – contact me to begin!

With a +1.9 handicap and a strong background in collegiate golf, I placed 3rd in the MDJUCO Championship and graduated from the Golf Academy of America. I am a certified instructor with Go Gator Golf, dedicated to helping players improve their skills and achieve their goals on the course. My passion for golf and commitment to instruction drive me to support golfers of all levels in reaching their full potential.

Igniting a passion for tennis is my specialty. I bring my expertise and love for the game to every lesson. I am excited to share my knowledge and help you improve your game, regardless of your current skill level.

"great coach!!!

Former collegiate pickleball player for UVA with a winning record in large-scale tournaments, including a recent Open Division title. I bring years of coaching experience in other sports and over a year specifically in pickleball to help players of all levels elevate their game.

"Joe was great at mentoring myself. We ended up doing a play with the coach lesson with two others. We went through transition zone and learned a lot. Great experience!

Brendan began helping golfers develop their games while he was the assistant golf coach at Colorado College for two years while teaching chemistry there. He turned professional in 2000 and played on the Hooters, Tear Drop, and Moonlight mini tours for two and half years. Brendan has worked at Olney Golf Park for more than six years and has been an assistant professional for the last four. As an amateur golfer he played for and captained his high school and college teams, and was selected as a member of the Division III All-Coaches Team as a collegiate player.

For over 15 years, I've shared my tennis passion with students of all levels. My experience as a seasoned player allows me to provide effective strategies. I aim to create an enjoyable and skill-enhancing learning experience.