Music Lessons
LEARN * PLAY * CREATE
Stacy’s has one of central Virginia’s largest private music lesson programs. All of our qualified instructors teach music theory as well as ear training. By incorporating the students love for a particular style of music, they tailor a learning program that is specific to each student. This ensures that the student has fun learning the music they love while building a solid foundation for their knowledge of music theory.
Please view our lesson policy PDF
WE NOW OFFER GROUP LESSONS!!!! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!!!
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Pete Vigour – Guitar, Banjo, Violin, Mandolin, Ukulele, Dulcimer
Pete has taught guitar, banjo, and mandolin at Stacy’s since 1997. He teaches his students to accompany themselves and encourages them to play with other people in order to improve their skills. He is an accomplished old time fiddle and banjo player who regularly hosts local jam sessions. He currently performs with his old time band Uncle Henry’s Favorites and his classical group the Sugar Ridge Quartet.
Matt Jagger – Guitar, Bass
Matt was a pioneer of the Stacy’s Music lesson program. He started teaching a wide variety of students, ages 6 to 60, in 1992. Matt has been studying guitar for more than 19 years and is able to explain its theory in ways younger students can understand. He was an employee of the store for over 7 years, and is very knowledgeable about guitars, music, and the recording industry.
Brett Jones – Guitar
Brett has 8 years of guitar playing experience and is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia, where he received a degree in Biology with distinction. At U.Va., he studied jazz guitar and improvisation with Mike Rosensky and John D’earth, in addition to performing with the U.Va. Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Chamber Ensembles. Brett has also played and collaborated with many other groups spanning the realms of blues, rock, hip-hop, jazz, funk, and reggae,including Creepy Todd, TheGranville Mullings Project, Greg Weaver Jazz Congregation, Murph and the Magic Tones, The Blackout Project, and singer/songwriter Todd Binder. Brett teaches jazz theory and improvisation, rock, and blues guitar.
Sam Cushman- Drums
Sam graduated from UVA in 2010 completing a Double Major in Music and History. He was a member of UVA Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Chamber Ensembles, African Drum Ensemble and a former member of Drum Corps International. Sam is experienced in many styles of music including Rock, Funk, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, and more. He has studied extensively in Classical Percussion, Mallet Percussion, Rudimental Snare Drum, and Latin Hand Percussion. He has studied privately with Kevin Murphy (Tonic), Nathan Brown (Everything), Robert Jospe, and I-Jen Fang of the University of Virginia and has played with local bands including the Travis Elliott Band and Kings of Belmont.
Ruth Dillon – Piano and Voice
Ruth received her masters degree in piano with an emphasis in performance at Cairo conservatory of music in 1981. She has worked as an accompanist with Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Alex Chamber Orchestra. Ruth studied classical singing after years of performing rock music with various bands and has been featured in several classical Egyptian and French TV shows performing classical works by several of the world’s most respected and well known composers. She has toured Egypt, Franc and Italy as a singer and as a classical performer. Ruth is currently the conductor and the music director of Bethel B. Church and is an active member of Wednesday Music club since 1996. Ruth has been teaching piano and theory (salvage) in English, French and Italian for over 25 years. She accepts all levels and all ages (beginner, intermediate and advance) through a credited curriculum.
Calie Garrett – Piano and Voice
Calie graduated from the University of Virgina in 2007 with a B.A. in music. She received extensive training in music theory, ear training, and composition. Calie a proficient sight singer and is able to instruct students in singing both melody and harmony. She is proficient in both contemporary and classical piano, as well as reading and transposing music.
Cari Shipp – Flute
Cari Shipp is a highly experienced teacher and performer. She holds her Bachelors of Music in flute performance from the University of North Texas, as well as her Masters of Music in flute performance from the Peabody Conservatory. She has performed as principal and piccolo in national and international festival and collegiate orchestras, and also has extensive solo and chamber music experience. She has written two editions of her own teaching methods and her students of all ages have experienced great success through them. Ms. Shipp currently lives in Charlottesville and teaches and performs through the Charlottesville, Washington DC, and Baltimore areas.
