The Studio
A Music School in McLean, Virginia
The McLean Piano Studio is a small, private music school in downtown McLean, Virginia, located behind Franklin Sherman Elementary School. It teaches ages 5 and up at all skill levels. It focuses on Classical music while allowing for student individuality by letting them choose their favorite pop and film musics as well. It teaches private piano lessons, music theory, composition, ear training, amphasis on sight reading, orchestra and symphony studies, world musics, ensemble playing and recital etiquette. Blues, Jazz, band and rock musics are not taught.
The Instructor
Thomas Sebastian Mueller was born and raised in Koenigswinter, Germany. He began his music education at age six through formal piano lessons. At age ten he began composing for piano and for orchestra. After graduating from High School in Germany he moved to McLean and enrolled in George Mason University’s piano program, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts. He has been teaching as a private piano instructor throughout Northern Virginia since 2005. His students have ranged from ages 4 to 60 and have been of all experience and talent levels. Because of his special interest in free, artistic and injury-preventive technique that focuses on natural, effortless coordination and body alignment, he has trained in professor Lister-Sink’s (Salem College, North Carolina) renowned injury-preventive workshop for piano technique.
Thomas is a member of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association and will join the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers later this year with his own compositions. Thomas speaks English, Spanish and German fluently.
Philosophy
What is Music?
I see music as something alive, not static; and though music has an intellectual side to it that needs to be learned to understand the art rationally, it’s purpose is not to become an academic exercise. Instead, its purpose is to become an energy and a consciousness in the lives of those who practice it – a creative outlet and a motivational force. Making music and observing concerts stimulates personal growth, social sensitivity and builds a stronger mind. (Read my blog Music Is Energy.)
Who can learn Music and how to play an Instrument?
Everybody. Those who learn to make music do so because they want to and because they believe that it is possible. Those who don’t, don’t because they don’t want to or because they don’t believe it is possible. “I don’t have talent” is a self-defeating belief that we invented in childhood and have used every since to put ourselves down because we don’t believe we deserve better. Doubts can be overcome quite easily and my task as a teacher is to inspire and motivate students; to help them discover that music is magic, which they too can create right from their hearts. A genius musical mind is not needed for that.
Recitals
I hold recitals biannually, in which students receive real-world experience in performing and discovering self-confidence. These take place at the local Jordan Kitts in Merrifield. Students also have access to the recitals, competitions and festivals of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association due to my membership with this organization.
