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TEACHING

Dr. Candice Mowbray has been a dedicated teacher for more than 20 years at numerous colleges and schools of music including Shenandoah Conservatory (2007-2017), Frederick Community College (2005-2015), Hagerstown Community College (2004-2020), and Shepherd University (2020-2022). She now shares her knowledge and experience as an independent and guest teaching artist. She is also a perpetual learner and believes that keeping herself in the role of student greatly influences her own teaching.

 

Types of Classes & Lessons

 

Coaching sessions can be focused on guitar performance, ensemble playing, specific pieces, theory, mindfulness and guided meditation for artists, or guitar history research, writing and presentation.

 

Dr. Mowbray specializes in teaching adult music enthusiasts, fellow music professionals, and young career teachers and performers. For many years, Dr. Mowbray has been a resource to general music teachers who find themselves required to teach guitar class and she is happy to be of help. Fellow professionals from jazz, rock, and other styles or instruments who would like to add classical guitar, general guitar or reading skills to their playing are encouraged to reach out.

Fall 2024 Online Offerings

 

Email cmowbray @ outlook.com to sign up for classes, ask questions, or express interest in taking in-person classes or alternate times.

Individual Lessons 

Individual coaching sessions are currently held online and scheduled as arranged with most students meeting for once-a-month or bi-weekly lessons. One-time lessons to work on specific pieces or simply check in are also options. A written lesson log accompanies most sessions. Tuition is $100 for an hour session or $80 per hour for students attending one or more sessions per month. There are no registration fees or longterm commitments.

Special Topic Lesson: Intro to Jazz Chords and Comping

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.

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. 

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 once per month via private Youtube stream without a fee to encourage participation. Email cmowbraymusic @ outlook dot com to receive the link.

Speak Easy Society Public Speaking Group

Are you a performing artist or music major preparing for a lecture recital? Want to build practice before presenting at a conference, board meeting or family event? A soon-to-be podcaster or video blogger who wants to refine skills a bit before sharing with the broader public? Consider joining the Speak Easy Society!  Dr. Mowbray will share experiences and tips, readings, and insights on nervous system regulation, and provide activities and feedback in a supportive and friendly environment. This is a great opportunity for college students, professionals, or anyone who will find enjoyment in preparing and sharing short talks about subjects they love. 

The next session of this course is scheduled to meet online each Wednesday from 10am to 10:50 am for 6 weeks from 11/13/24 to 12/18/24. Tuition is $90 and class is limited to 8 participants. 

 

Candice Mowbray began her public speaking career at age five–no kidding!–when she was asked to read her elementary school announcements each morning. Deemed her school's own "little Barbara Walters," Candice has practiced her skills through decades of engaging with music audiences as a performing artist, teaching music and art classes to students majoring in programs from music to nursing, and sharing her scholarship in lectures for international guitar societies, humanities series, and public libraries. She is repeatedly recognized for being an engaging and enthusiastic presenter with great depth of knowledge.

 

Courageous Crescendo: A Music Performance Practice Meetup

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 readings about performance strategies. Performers will hold agency over the type of feedback, if any, they would like to receive.

The next edition of  of this course is scheduled to meet online each Wednesday from 11am to noon for 6 weeks from 11/13/24 to 12/18/24. Tuition is $90 and class is limited to 8 participants. 

A separate meeting of this course for professional guitarists is being planned. Please send an email expressing interest and preference for biweekly or monthly meetings.

Email cmowbray @ outlook.com to sign up for lessons and classes. Join the mailing list to receive announcements about new course offerings.

In the future...

Guitarist Listening Room

Beginning Music Theory

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

Berklee College of Music Guest Lecturer Candice Mowbray

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:

  • Guitar Foundation of America

  • Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition

  • Southern Guitar Festival and Competition

  • Reading Music Foundation

  • Virginia Music Educators Association

  • Mid-Atlantic Guitar Ensemble Festival

  • Northern Virginia Public Schools

  • Washington County Public Schools

  • Performing and Visual Arts Northwest (PAVAN)

  • TESS Guitar Festival

  • Aguado Guitar Competition

  • Lonestar Guitar Festival

  • Marlin-Engel Solo Competition at the Levine School of Music

  • Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy 

  • Shields Music Scholarship Awards 

For more information about workshops, coaching or adjudication for your organization or festival, please contact cmowbraymusic (at) outlook (dot) com. 

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