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LESSONS & CLASSES

Dr. Candice Mowbray has been a dedicated teacher for more than 20 years and has served on the faculties of Shenandoah Conservatory, Frederick Community College, Hagerstown Community College, Mount Saint Mary's University and Shepherd University, where she taught courses in guitar, music history, music theory, and pedagogy, and directed guitar and chamber music ensembles while also enjoying a fulfilling career as a performer.

Dr. Mowbray is a perpetual learner and believes that taking classes and keeping herself in the role of student greatly influences her own teaching and understanding of the learning process. She is an advocate for musician wellbeing and is currently pursuing a pedagogical certificate from The Till Project, an approach to performance combining the laws of physical movement with the laws of the instrument itself in service of the music. She completed fifteen hours of training in trauma-informed practice for teaching artists with the Bartol Foundation, studies with Musicians Wellness of North American and Mindfulness Sussex, and is sharing ways to foster positive learning and performance experiences through use of tools such as mindfulness, meditation, and formal critique models.

Current Classes

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Private Lessons 

Dr. Mowbray offers one-on-one coaching for all levels of classical guitar performance and/or core fundamentals of the Till Approach for college students and other adult learners. An informational Zoom call may scheduled for potential students to determine if the student's needs and teacher's offerings align.

 

In addition to professional and aspiring professional musicians, adult beginning hobbyists who love music are welcome. Students should have a sincere desire to learn, even if they don't have quite enough practice time :)

Lessons can be scheduled weekly or less frequently, and occur online or in-person in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland.

Tuition is based upon frequency and duration of lessons:

$80 per hour for one-time sessions 

$65 per hour for students who maintain weekly or biweekly sessions at a fixed time

Pro-rated fees for 30 and 45-minute lessons

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Special Topic Lessons

 

Special Topic Lessons are one-time, online sessions in which participants learn about a specific aspect of guitar playing. Some advanced topics are created with fellow professionals in mind while others are designed for less experienced players. There is no ongoing commitment to lessons and these themed sessions can be a great supplement to your private study.

September/October 2025 Special Topic: Unlocking the CAGED Major Scale System

For Beginning and Intermediate Electric, Acoustic and Classical Players

Have you heard of the CAGED system but are confused about what it is or why you might want to know it? In this session, advancing beginners and intermediate guitarists of any style will be introduced to the movable scale patterns that comprise the system, along with practice tips and possible uses. 

Tuition is $50. Session lasts 50 minutes. 

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A Musician's Meditation

This guided meditation series has been created especially for artists and musicians. Sessions are offered live online the second Friday of each month at noon EST and last 30 minutes. There is no fee to participate although attendees who would like to express gratitude are welcome to buy Candice a "coffee" on her Ko-fi site.

 

Email cmowbraymusic @ outlook dot com to join the mailing list and receive the Zoom link to join.

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Community Guitar Ensemble

The Fall 2025 pilot of the community guitar ensemble commences Saturday October 4 and meets monthly through the holiday season. Email cmowbraymusic @ outlook (dot) com to inquire about signing up for the Spring 2025 edition which will begin in January.

Upcoming Classes

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Courageous Crescendo: Promoting Positive Performance Experiences

 

This 8-week online aims to provide a space to practice performing and supporting others, and includes presentations about performance tools, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and artistic critique. 

 

Tuition: TBA

An informational open house is being planned for a Winter 2025 session. Join the mailing list to receive announcements.

CC Performance Practice MeetUp

For graduates of Courageous Crescendo, this monthly meetup provides an opportunity to practice performing and applying tools learned in the course.

 

​Tuition: $15 per session

Schedule: TBA

Workshops based on this program are available for schools and festivals. Please inquire.

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Beginning Music Theory for Guitarists

Participants learn about the fundamental building blocks of music and how this knowledge can be applied to music performance or enhance listening experiences.

 

Next session to be announced. Please email cmowbraymusic @ outlook.com to express interest in participating.

Orchestra

Wait... When Do I Clap?

In this fun and light-hearted class for music appreciators, participants will learn basic music terminology, how to read a concert program, how to distinguish Bach from Beethoven, and other fundamentals of classical music in an effort to deepen understanding and enhance the concert-going experience. If you have ever wondered when to clap or what exactly a concerto is, this is a great chance to learn and explore! 

Please email cmowbraymusic @ outlook.com to express interest in participating. 

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 

© 2024 Candice Mowbray

Support my work at Ko-fi.com. 

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