TEACHING
Dr. Candice Mowbray has been a dedicated teacher for more than 20 years at numerous colleges and schools of music including Shenandoah Conservatory, Frederick Community College, Hagerstown Community College, and Shepherd University, while also enjoying a fulfilling career as a performer.
Dr. Mowbray is a perpetual learner (despite her four college degrees, she can easily think of three more she would like to pursue :) ) and believes that taking classes and keeping herself in the role of student greatly influences her own teaching and empathy for the learning process. She is also very interested in musician wellbeing and is currently studying and sharing ways to foster positive performance and learning experiences through use of tools such as mindfulness, meditation, positive psychology, and critique models.
Winter/Spring 2025 Offerings
This semester will see several new course offerings, exciting activities and partnerships. Make sure to sign up for the mailing list to receive the latest updates and email cmowbraymusic @ outlook (dot) com to sign up for classes, express interest and ask questions.
Courageous Crescendo: A Music Performance Practice Meetup –Now Scheduling for Spring 2025!
In college, music majors often attend weekly studio classes which offer a safe space to try out new pieces and practice the art of performing. Adult learners as well as professionals often miss out on this opportunity due to the nature of practicing independently. This meetup aims to provide a space to practice performing and support others. The meetups will also include some activities and readings about performance strategies, nervous system regulation, and artistic critique. Performers will hold agency over the type of feedback, if any, they would like to receive.
The Art of Classical Guitar –
In this 5-week course held in collaboration with Marlow Guitar International, Dr. Candice Mowbray leads audiences through an appreciative look at the history of the classical guitar, its remarkable players and the pieces that captivate us. And, of course, we’ll enjoy some beautiful recordings together! For new listeners as well as longtime fans of the classical guitar, this will be an opportunity to enjoy an hour of great music and appreciation.
Registration information to be posted shortly.
Community Guitar Orchestra –Now Scheduling for Spring 2025!
Enjoy playing guitar with others? Interested in coming together to create entertaining and joyful musical programs to share with the community? Consider joining in!
Rehearsals will take place in either Hagerstown, Maryland or Shepherdstown, West Virginia with dates and times yet to be determined. Reading music is necessary as players will be reading from parts that do not include tablature. Players will be assigned parts based on skill and reading level–You don't have to be a fantastic reader to start but you do have to be willing to work on it. A special scheduling option will be available to professional players and teachers who would like to join the fun.
An information session will be scheduled to answer questions. Send an inquiry to cmowbraymusic @ outlook (dot) com for information.
New to the idea of a guitar orchestra? Here are some examples:
Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra plays "Joy to the World"
Barcelona Guitar Orchestra plays "Canarios" by Gaspar Sanz
A Musician's Meditation
This introduction to mindfulness and guided meditation series has been created especially for artists and musicians. Each session lasts about 30 minutes. These sessions are currently being offered the second Friday of each month over lunchtime (Noon Eastern US). There is no fee to participate. Email cmowbraymusic @ outlook dot com to receive the unlisted link.
Workshops for schools and colleges are available and can include chair yoga.
Special Topic Lesson: Intro to Jazz Chords and Comping
Special Topic Lessons are one-on-one or small group sessions that meet once or twice to learn about a specific aspect of guitar playing without ongoing commitment to further lessons. Some are created with fellow professionals in mind while others will be centered around newer players or public performance skills.
This offering was created especially for persons who are advanced classical or rock players but have little jazz experience and would like to develop some basic chord proficiencies. Participants will apply music theory to create shell chord voicings and apply them to playing a jazz standard. Working knowledge of major scales and chord spelling (ex. Maj7= 1 3 5 7) is especially helpful. This lesson is planned for one, 45-minute meeting but may be expanded to two or three sessions. Special topic sessions are offered at the discounted rate of $50 per session and scheduled as arranged. Music teachers are welcome to attend simultaneously with up to 3 other teachers and split the fee.
Private Lessons
Dr. Mowbray maintains a very small roster of private students. Each student should be open to mindful practice and have a sincere desire to learn (even if you don't have quite enough practice time :).
Scheduling occurs from lesson to lesson with most adult learners taking an hour lesson every other week. Each lesson includes teacher preparation and a written follow up. Tuition is $80 per hour session and $45 per half hour–there are no registration fees or ongoing commitments. College students wishing to take lessons but unable to afford this tuition may be offered lessons at a discount, please inquire.
Persons wishing to take lessons and not sent through referral should contact cmowbraymusic (@) outlook (dot) com with information about goals and availability. An informational Zoom call may scheduled to determine if the student's needs and teacher's offerings align.
Group Lessons:
Group lessons for aspiring players are offered from time to time. Please send an email to express interest. Thank you!
Guest Teaching and Adjudication
"Thank you so much for being such an integral part of our festival. Your presentation was fantastic and one of my students...said that he wants to play some of the music that you shared with us... mission accomplished! Your passion is contagious!”
–Dr. Kevin Vigil, Loudoun County Public Schools
"You were a wonderful addition to our adjudicator team. Thank you for jumping right in and making meaningful comments for our students."
–Reading Music Foundation
Dr. Mowbray has been a guest artist and adjudicator for numerous events where she has presented workshops on music fundamentals, technique, mindfulness, performance, and music history in addition to giving masterclasses, directing guitar orchestras, and offering thoughtful, positive, and constructive feedback to participants in youth and professional competitions. Organizations with whom she has been a guest include:
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Guitar Foundation of America
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Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition
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Southern Guitar Festival and Competition
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Reading Music Foundation
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Virginia Music Educators Association
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Mid-Atlantic Guitar Ensemble Festival
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Northern Virginia Public Schools
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Washington County Public Schools
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Performing and Visual Arts Northwest (PAVAN)
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TESS Guitar Festival
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Aguado Guitar Competition
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Lonestar Guitar Festival
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Marlin-Engel Solo Competition at the Levine School of Music
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Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy
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Shields Music Scholarship Awards
For more information about workshops, coaching or adjudication for your school, organization or festival, please contact cmowbraymusic (at) outlook (dot) com.
