Guitarist Candice Mowbray
Performances • Classes • Music Research • Composition
LESSONS & CLASSES
Dr. Candice Mowbray has been a dedicated teacher for more than 20 years at numerous colleges and schools of music including Shenandoah Conservatory, Frederick Community College, Hagerstown Community College, and Shepherd University, while also enjoying a fulfilling career as a performer.
Dr. Mowbray is a perpetual learner (despite her four college degrees, she can easily think of three more she would like to pursue :) ) 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 very interested in musician wellbeing and is currently studying and sharing ways to foster positive learning and performance experiences through use of tools such as mindfulness and meditation, positive psychology and formal critique models.
Current Offerings
Courageous Crescendo: Promoting Positive Performance Experiences
Winter 2025 Session: 8 weeks, Online Wednesdays 10-10:50am beginning 2/5/25
Fall 2025 Session: An informational open house is being planned. Join the mailing list to receive announcements.
This 8-week course aims to provide a space to practice performing and support others, and includes activities and readings about performance strategies, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and artistic critique.
Workshops based on this program are available for schools and colleges. Please inquire.
CC Performance Practice MeetUp
Fall 2025 Session: To Be Announced
For graduates of Courageous Crescendo, this monthly meetup provides an opportunity to practice performing and applying tools learned in the course.
The Art of Classical Guitar
Fall 2025 Session: To Be Announced
In this 5-week course held in collaboration with Marlow Guitar International, Dr. Candice Mowbray leads audiences through an appreciative look at the history of the classical guitar, its remarkable players and the pieces that captivate fans. For new listeners as well as longtime fans of the classical guitar, this is an opportunity to explore and enjoy great music.
Special Topic Lessons
Special Topic Lessons are one-time, one-on-one or small group sessions that to learn about a specific aspect of guitar playing with no ongoing requirement to commit to further lessons. Some advanced topics are created with fellow professionals in mind while others are designed for less experienced players. Special topic sessions are offered at the discounted rate of $50 per session and usually last for an hour. Music teachers are welcome to attend simultaneously with up to 3 other teachers and split the fee.
Introduction to Jazz Comping for Classical Guitarists
This offering was created especially for advanced classical guitarists with little or no jazz experience who would like to develop some basic chord proficiencies.
CAGED Major Scale System
Have you heard of the CAGED system but are confused about it is or why you might want to know it? In this session, advancing beginners or intermediate guitarists of any style will be introduced to the 5 movable scale patterns that comprise the system, along with practice tips and possible uses.
A Musician's Meditation
This guided meditation series has been created especially for artists and musicians. Each session lasts about 30 minutes and currently being offered monthly. There is no fee to participate. Email cmowbraymusic @ outlook dot com to join the mailing list and be notified of upcoming schedule.
Private Lessons
Dr. Mowbray maintains a small roster of adult students. Scheduling occurs from lesson to lesson–Adult students who would like to meet for biweekly lessons are welcome. For lessons meeting biweekly or less frequently, tuition is $80 per hour session and $45 per half hour. A discount is offered for students who would like to meet weekly at a regular time. There are no registration fees and each lesson includes teacher preparation and a written follow up. College students wishing to take lessons but unable to afford this tuition may be offered lessons at a discount, please inquire.
If you would like to take lessons and are not being referred through a fellow teacher, please contact cmowbraymusic (@) outlook (dot) com with information about your goals and schedule. An informational Zoom call may scheduled to determine if the student's needs and teacher's offerings align. Potential students should have a sincere desire to learn, even if they don't have quite enough practice time :)
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
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:
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Guitar Foundation of America
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Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition
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Southern Guitar Festival and Competition
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Reading Music Foundation
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Virginia Music Educators Association
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Mid-Atlantic Guitar Ensemble Festival
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Northern Virginia Public Schools
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Washington County Public Schools
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Performing and Visual Arts Northwest (PAVAN)
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TESS Guitar Festival
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Aguado Guitar Competition
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Lonestar Guitar Festival
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Marlin-Engel Solo Competition at the Levine School of Music
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Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy
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Shields Music Scholarship Awards