Piano, Irish flute, Composition, Music Theory

Tyler is a cheerful multi-instrumentalist and instrument-maker, and co-founder of the Four Hour Day.  He has a degree in piano from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he studied under the illustrious pianist and all-around great human Brian Ganz.  He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua and an apprentice wooden flute-builder with master craftsman Rodger Young.

Tyler’s musical upbringing centered around quite rigid Suzuki piano pedagogy, and consequently his approach to teaching is organic, flexible and tailored to each student’s particular interests and strengths.  He loves to complement core piano instruction with forays into composition, improvisation and new musical styles, to help his students become happy, well-rounded musicians for life.

 

 

Classical/Electric/Acoustic Guitar, ukulele, cello

Todd has over 25 years performing experience in a variety of styles, including big band and combo jazz ensembles, classical chamber ensembles, folk bands, and many original rock bands and musical projects.  He holds a BA in Classical Guitar Performance from Frostburg State University as well as a Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Towson University.  Todd is currently active composing, performing and recording for his original instrumental project Pergola, as a solo classical guitarist and as part of a mandolin and guitar duo called Duo Dyad.

Todd teaches steel string acoustic, electric and nylon string guitar. He also teaches beginners bass guitar, ukulele, mandolin and cello, as well as classical guitar ensemble and music theory. Todd welcomes students of all ages, backgrounds, skill levels and looks forward to collaborating with you on your musical journey.

 

 

Banjo, Guitar, Voice

 

Rooted in Americana, swing, Oldtime and bluegrass music, Jonathan has traveled quite a crooked road to arrive in Baltimore six years ago. A passionately curious musician and fairly adventurous type, he has explored and made music all over the world. During the pandemic, he took the opportunity to delve deep into two-finger banjo while alone in his basement. In 2021, with he help of some friends, released his debut solo recording, Spotted Pony. He enjoys playing groovy tunes, dancing, singing, stacking rocks one on top of another, and eating apples with peanut butter.

As a teacher, Jonathan is primarily focused on helping students with the fundamentals around

-rhythm

-ear training and learning by ear

-basic music theory

-being able to play music with others

-general musicality

-preventing injury through good technique

-repertoire as a way to learn and grow on your instrument

-good practice techniques informed by research and experience

 

Piano

 

Born and raised in Southern California, James is a pianist, and he is currently pursuing a Master’s in piano performance with an emphasis in pedagogy at the Peabody Conservatory, having also completed his Bachelor’s there. His concert highlights include concert performances at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, the Musikverein in Vienna, and the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. In the past years, he has been invited to perform with the Haydn Symphony Orchestra and the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra.

James strongly believes that creativity and the arts are a crucial element in anyone’s development. Thus, teaching has become a great passion for James, and he welcomes all students from any skill level, age, or background into his studio.

Guitarist Michael Raitzyk is currently playing, creating and exploring the world of solo guitar music. His latest recording, entitled “Everything Must Change” takes an inspired look at his love of Jazz & pop music and mixes it into a unique blend of harmonic explorations. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Raitzyk grew up listening to the sounds of funk, classical, blues, rock…all things guitar. He has been a guitar educator
for over 30 years and currently teaches at the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Waldorf School of Baltimore.
Raitzyk has recorded four CD’s as a leader, has lead a Klezmer band (Charm City Klezmer), co-leads a duo project Seeds of Joy with violinist Rebekah Geller, plays a ton of Jazz within the Bmore Jazz community and can be found busking on various street corners on Baltimore when the muse and weather offerings are available.

Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Improvisation, Songwriting, Music Theory, Composition

Joel is a professional mandolinist, guitarist, and strings specialist based in Baltimore. He is an experienced and friendly teacher who will teach you what you want to know, how to make it your own, and deepen your understanding and enjoyment of music. An in-demand, virtuosic performer and collaborator, Joel plays and teaches a wide variety of music with a flair for unique fusions.

As a teacher, Joel is focused on discovering and developing each person’s musical personality. Students develop their own goals, repertoire, and practice approaches by working collaboratively with him in lessons. Everyone has unique strengths in their learning style and musical imagination, and Joel’s teaching is focused on developing both.

Joel holds a B.A. in music performance and theory/composition from Goucher College (Cum Laude, Honors in Music), and has many years of teaching experience and boundless enthusiasm for it.

Violin & Piano

Violinist Dana Goode began touring and performing at age 16 as a member of a chamber ensemble under the direction of the brilliant Latvian cellist Lev Aronson. Early concert locations included the amphitheater at Carthage in Tunisia, St. Cecilia’s in Rome, and performances in Athens, Greece. The group also toured Israel and Jordan.

Ms. Goode relocated to Germany to study with Dr. Guenther Kehr, founder and conductor of the Mainzer Kammerorchestor. While a member of the Staedtisches Orchester Mainz , she continued her studies at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. After returning to the U.S., she completed a Bachelor of Music degree while studying at the Peabody Conservatory with Berl Senofsky, and a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance in 1986 with Mitchell Stern of the American String Quartet. Ms. Goode
also holds an M.A. degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, (’91). She currently teaches and conducts at The College of Notre Dame and at Villa Julie College in Brooklandville, where she is concertmaster and assistant conductor of The Greenspring Valley Symphony, led by Dr. Robert Suggs. In addition to her commitment to the Baltimore Opera Orchestra, Ms. Goode’s performing experience includes many years with Annapolis Opera, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony, Washington Concert Opera, National Chamber Orchestra and the Mechanic Theater, in addition to several local chamber ensembles. Her two children, ages 10 and 12, are constantly presenting new musical hurdles to be overcome.

Reeds

A native New Yorker, Brannock arrived in the area in the mid 90s as a military member.  He is an autodidact who learned music from self study and participation in a wide variety of musical acts over two decades. His areas of performance have included jazz, big band, rock and soul.   In his teaching, he seeks to help students learn to overcome problems and discover their own musical path.

Traditional & Classical Cello

Ellen Gira is a vibrant and versatile cellist and teacher. Her unique musical voice fuses folk and traditional influences with her classical training, from her native DC area and at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She tours internationally as part of the acclaimed fiddle-cello duo Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira, whose debut album All It Brings (2022) was recently nominated for Traditional Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. 
As a teacher, Ellen brings her passion for music and collaboration into the studio. She comes to the Four Hour Day after living in Glasgow, Scotland for 6 years, where she taught Scottish Trad Cello at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Ellen also organizes and teaches regular workshops and fiddle-cello retreats with her duo partner, Jocelyn Pettit.  She enjoys teaching in a variety of styles, from Classical to Scottish/Irish music and Old-Time, covering a wide range of skills including tune playing, backing, arranging, and tune composition. Combined with a focus on healthy, sustainable technique, she encourages her students to develop their own musical voice, and to find joy and meaning in the music they play.