We provide music lessons with the best teachers around! Our teachers hold degrees from some of the best music conservatories in the world and are dedicated to music education. Whether you've taken lessons for years or are just starting out, our highly skilled teachers will make learning exciting and fun. We also hold student recitals twice during the year to show off your talent!
Served areas
- Baltimore, MD
Highlights and features
- Music Theory, Guitar, Viola, Piano, Brass, Voice, Keyboard, Woodwinds, Strings
Associations and certifications
- Music Teachers National Association
- National Guild for Community Arts Education
Services
Piano Lessons
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With a long history and the versatility to tackle any style, it's no surprise the piano has long been a favorite instrument of composers and performers. Let our teachers make learning an enjoyable experience. Guitar Lessons
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Discover the beauty of the worlds most popular instrument. From playing Bach to strumming a few songs by the campfire, our teachers will help with every step along the way. String Lessons
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From soaring melodies to blazing scales, playing a string instrument can be an incredible experience. Our teachers are here to help guide you through the centuries of music and make learning enjoyable. 
People
James Robert Lowe
Director
An accomplished concert classical guitarist and native of Omaha, Nebraska, James Robert Lowe was a graduate assistant and protg of world renowned guitarist and teacher Julian Gray at The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Along with his performing accolades in the United States and Europe, he is an advocate of music education and has written his first book on playing guitar, Guitar Technique: Arpeggios and Scales, Level I. He is currently the Director of the Baltimore School of Music, faculty member at The International School of Music in Bethesda, Maryland, and a professor of guitar at the Community College of Baltimore County.
Alys Denney
Program Coordinator
Alys Denney is both an enthusiastic teacher and expressive performer. During her twenty years of piano study, she participated in masterclasses with David Dubal and Peter Takcs at the Southeastern Piano Festival, and performed Beethoven's Sonata, Op. 14, No. 2 on South Carolina ETV. An active member of the University of South Carolina's collegiate chapter of MTNA, Ms. Denney served as Vice President during her senior year of study. She is a multifaceted musician, and regularly composes music for small ensembles in many genres.
Shona Goldberg-Leopold
Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Euphonium
A multifaceted horn player, Shona Goldberg-Leopold is passionate about performing orchestral, chamber, and solo music. Originally from Philadelphia, she earned a Bachelor of Music at Vanderbilt University as a student of Leslie Norton and a Master of Music at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University as a student of Denise Tryon. Having played with numerous musical ensembles, including the New World Symphony, Maryland Symphony, and Reading Symphony, she is currently a member of the Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra, Occasional Symphony, and Charm City Wind Quintet. She has enjoyed spending her summers at the Aspen, Chautauqua, Siena, and Eastern Music Festivals.
Lillian Green
Violin, Viola, Beginning Piano
Lillian Green has performed as a solo, orchestral, and chamber musician across the United States, and in February of 2013 made her international debut playing recitals in Thailand and Malaysia. She is an active educator, currently teaching at the Peabody Preparatory Department, University of Delaware Community Music School, and Roland Park Country School. In the spring of 2013, she served as a part-time lecturer at West Virginia University. Lillian is finishing a doctorate in viola performance at Peabody Conservatory with Victoria Chiang; while at Peabody, she served as a theory teaching assistant for two years with Dr. Joel Puckett.
Jennier Hughson
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
Jennifer Hughson is a vibrant clarinetist who is freelancing and teaching in the greater Baltimore/D.C. area. Having completed her BM from Indiana University and her MM from the Peabody Conservatory, Jennifer has performed in both the US and Europe. She is the clarinetist in the SONAR New Music Ensemble and the Charm City Wind Quintet and has played with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Philharmonic and the Bel Cantati Opera Company.
James Keretses
James Keretses is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where he studied classical guitar with Christopher Berg. In 2012, he received the Christopher Berg Guitar Award, awarded to the student best exhibiting qualities of creativity, humility, perseverance, and improvement in their study of the guitar and music performance. He has performed as a soloist in multiple venues in the state of South Carolina and with a variety of ensembles, including the Columbia Guitar Orchestra, the University of South Carolina Guitar Trio, and with the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Parish Choir. He is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Guitar Performance at Peabody Institute.
Michael Pistorio
Voice, Beginning Piano
An emerging artist, Michael Pistorio is a recognized performer of Opera, Oratorio, Art Song, and Musical Theatre. He became a reputable performer on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and is hoping to carry that over to his roots in Baltimore and Annapolis. While an undergraduate, Michael had the pleasure of performing the principal roles of Robert in Company, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Lancelot in Camelot, and Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance among others. In concert, Michael has been a featured soloist in Requiem by Fauré, Messe Solonnelle by Gounod, and with various organizations and ensembles including the Salisbury Pops Band. Michael completed his undergraduate studies in December 2013 and can currently be heard as a Cantor and in the Choir of the Baltimore Basilica and this season with Opera AACC.
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Reviews (10) Roderic Hooks
May 26, 2022
Baltimore School of Music is great. The front desk staff is friendly and responsive, and my piano teacher, Dr. Graybill, is patient, kind, and intuitive. I have been working with him for just over two years and my technique and understanding of music theory has improved dramatically. I have also been introduced to some beautiful pieces of music. If you are looking for a piano teacher who will help you achieve your music goals, I highly recommend Dr. Graybill.
Dinah Winnick
Jan 11, 2022
We've had a very positive experience with teachers at the Baltimore School of Music, including Mr. Carter for piano and Mr. Ivan for violin. My kids have been able to make steady progress at the right pace -- enough motivation to keep growing but not too much pressure to be perfect. And the office/administrative team is very helpful and organized.
Stephanie Detterline
Jan 01, 2022
Dr. Greene has been an excellent guitar teacher for my 10 year old son over the past year. He is always prompt, professional, and truly engaging with him. He is laid-back, patient, and encouraging which really puts us at ease and fosters a great learning environment. We hope this relationship continues for years to come!
Travers Nelson
Dec 30, 2021
Dr. Graybill has been a wonderful piano teacher. I'm sure there are other good teachers at the school, but I was drawn to his experience with teaching both young people and us oldsters (I was 71 when I began to study). A gentle and careful explainer, he steered me right away into getting a good musical sound, not just getting the notes right.
Lauren Esakoff
Dec 23, 2021
My 13 year old daughter took violin lessons as an elementary school student through an after school program and was doing well. Sadly, her instructor retired. She was resistant to studying the violin again, but she agreed to give it a shot this year. Ivan has turned out to be a perfect match for her. He's very nurturing and supportive, upbeat and encouraging. She has responded beautifully to him and has enjoyed playing the violin again as a result. TY Ivan and the Baltimore School of Music.
Allison Rabik
Dec 22, 2021
Thomas Lalley
Dec 20, 2021
The Baltimore School of Music and especially my teacher Carter McMullen have been great. After a couple of failed attempts at lessons when I was younger, I decided to try again as an adult. I am 2 years in with lessons this time and Carter has been a great teacher - he is so nice and easy going and is always very patient with me! He has definitely given me the motivation to keep going this time! I'm so glad I decided to get back to the piano! I recommend him highly!
Mazen Tolaymat
Dec 11, 2021
Katie Heyl
Dec 08, 2021
All three of our children (11, 9 and 7) have been students at the Baltimore School of Music for almost a year now and they absolutely love it! This is our their first experience with formal music education and it is quite fulfilling to watch them grow and learn. Two of the children have even switched instruments within this past year so we've gotten to experience several different instructors' styles and we can tell you.all of them are kind, compassionate, gentle, encouraging, enthusiastic, talented and knowledgeable!
We know this because we started at BSM over the slower, covid winter last year in December 2020. It was easy to schedule all three kids' lessons on the same day at the same time. Since my husband and I had nowhere to be, we would sit in on the lessons and witness how each instructor developed each child starting with the basics and progressing at just the right pace to the next concept.
We have had the longest experience with Dr. Isaac Greene. Dr. Greene teaches our one daughter (9) classical guitar. He is incredibly calm, patient and kind. He listens well, encourages, and gently corrects with a positive spin rather than critiquing. Our daughter has developed into quite the guitar player because of his guidance. She is happy to practice and loves going to lessons.
I hope she and our other two children continue on their musical journey and learn to appreciate music with BSM for as long as they can! I know this is an experience our children with remember and look back on fondly when they are older!
We know this because we started at BSM over the slower, covid winter last year in December 2020. It was easy to schedule all three kids' lessons on the same day at the same time. Since my husband and I had nowhere to be, we would sit in on the lessons and witness how each instructor developed each child starting with the basics and progressing at just the right pace to the next concept.
We have had the longest experience with Dr. Isaac Greene. Dr. Greene teaches our one daughter (9) classical guitar. He is incredibly calm, patient and kind. He listens well, encourages, and gently corrects with a positive spin rather than critiquing. Our daughter has developed into quite the guitar player because of his guidance. She is happy to practice and loves going to lessons.
I hope she and our other two children continue on their musical journey and learn to appreciate music with BSM for as long as they can! I know this is an experience our children with remember and look back on fondly when they are older!
Amanda Coleman-Phelps
Nov 26, 2021
