Tag: music lessons

Teaching in harmony: Teacher who uses music to inspire named DC’s top educator – WTOP News

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Christopher Alberts, a Grammy-nominated educator at the School Without Walls, is the 2026 D.C. Teacher of the Year.

Christopher Alberts, who is already a Grammy-nominated educator at the School Without Walls, is being honored as the 2026 D.C. Teacher of the Year.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo

Alberts thought he was simply leading his students in a performance when he was asked to sit on stage with his band. But then came the surprise.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Christopher Alberts is D.C.’s Teacher of the Year. The honor includes a $7,500 check.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo

Christopher Alberts is known for his unique approach to teaching music, which includes conversations about history, identity and change.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo

Christopher Alberts uses music to teach about social movements, civil rights and self-expression — asking students not just what they hear, but what they feel.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo

Music educator Christopher Alberts and his students from the School Without Walls.
(Courtesy Michael Quander)
Courtesy Michael Quander

He’s not just teaching music, one D.C. teacher is using music to spark conversations about history, identity and change.

Now, Christopher Alberts, who is already a Grammy-nominated educator at the School Without Walls, is being honored as the 2026 D.C. Teacher of the Year.

Alberts thought he was simply leading his students in a performance when he was asked to sit on stage with his band on Thursday. But then came the surprise.

“So ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to say that the 2026 D.C. Teacher of the Year is Christopher Alberts,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

As his students erupted in cheers, Alberts wiped away tears.

“To have these guys behind me when that happened, that was a really touching moment,” he said.

The moment when Mr. Alberts learned he’s the 2026 DC Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Alberts, you uplift your students every day—today, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on you.

Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/uUCNDpnDco

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) October 16, 2025

Alberts, a four-time Grammy Music Educator Award nominee, is known for transforming his classroom into more than a place to play notes.

He uses music to teach about social movements, civil rights and self-expression — asking students not just what they hear, but what they feel.

“I wanted to be the difference maker in kids’ lives,” Alberts said. “A teacher is the one who inspired me to be better than I thought I could be.”

Alberts has been at the School Without Walls for 16 years but has been a teacher for 21 years.

His students told WTOP that he’s more than a teacher; 11th grader Yeselyn Iraheta said he creates a space where students feel safe to grow.

“He’s like, ‘If you make a mistake, I want to hear it. No one’s going to make fun of you, because that’s the way you learn,’” Iraheta said of Alberts.

Junior Lucy Watkins said his class became her favorite part of the day.

“Honestly, when I first started, I thought I was going to quit because it was really hard,” Watkins said. “But he was just so welcoming. … I’m one of the section leaders for the violins now.”

Along with the title, Alberts received a $7,500 award and will represent D.C. in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

“Mr. Alberts deserves it more than any other teacher I’ve ever known,” junior Miles Bishop said. “He is able to push you while making you feel comfortable and excited about the music.”

As for what’s next? Alberts said it’s back to rehearsal.

“We’ve got more work to do,” Alberts said.

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© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Mike Murillo

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October 16, 2025
Fact Check: Music Lessons Have NOT Been Banned In Hamburg Because Muslims Consider Them Haram — The German News Report Is About A Joint Statement Against Intolerance and Exclusion

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Did the public school system in Hamburg, Germany ban music lessons to avoid offending Muslims who view them to be forbidden or ‘haram’? No, that’s not true: The Hamburg public schools did no such thing. A German language news report has been misrepresented in social media posts. The report followed the signing of a joint statement by religious representatives and school officials against intolerance and exclusion — a move which was prompted by some incidents of religiously motivated bullying.

The 33-second video clip appeared in a post (archived here) published on X by @realMaalouf on Sept. 29, 2025. The post was captioned:

GERMANY: In Hamburg, music lessons (singing, piano, guitar) are no longer allowed in public schools because music is ‘haram’ in Islam, and it would be considered Islamophobia to impose them on Muslim students. Thoughts?!

Muslims Threaten Classmates
Hamburg takes a clear line against discrimination

This news report was published by welt.de (archived here) on June 25, 2025. The screenshot below shows the German language webpage translated to English. The topic is “Bullying in Hamburg’s schools”. The headline, originally, “„Musikunterricht kann nicht stattfinden, weil man im Islam nicht singt”” reads:

“Music lessons cannot take place because singing is not allowed in Islam.”

These are still isolated cases, but apparently so numerous that the Hamburg Education Senator is now reacting together with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious associations. The issue is assaults and discrimination, predominantly by Muslim students. For example, isolated German girls are attacked – they don’t belong here – while others are prevented from attending music lessons because it is haram. These assaults will not be tolerated, not a single one, according to Senator Bekeris.

The Hamburg Catholic Schools Facebook page published a post (archived here) about the signing of the joint statement on June 18, 2025. One photo in the post (pictured below) has a text caption (translated by Google) which reads:

Religious communities take a stand
against intolerance and exclusion

The Facebook post includes the text of the joint statement (translated by Facebook):

Promote and protect Hamburg’s diversity – Hamburg and its religious communities show a stance for a respectful dialogue

Hamburg is a city of cultural and religious diversity.

From this wealth we shape the future of our city. Children and adolescents grow up together and practice with each other early in kindergarten and school. Here they get to know and appreciate each other with their peculiarities and similarities. They realize differences and practice in dialogue resolving conflicts peacefully and constructively.

In Hamburg’s nurseries and schools, there is no place for abuse and discrimination of any kind. Everyone who is responsible in nurseries and schools show attitude when people are abused or are pressured by others themselves. Kindergarten and school show attitude when whole groups are subjected to general suspicion due to unacceptable incidents or individuals are excluded or even defamed because of their belonging to a group.

This attitude corresponds to the values shared by the religious communities and the city, and shaped daily in religious education for all. Mutual respect prohibits any kind of overbearing: no matter who, against whom and especially when coercion is practiced under the cover of supposed religious regulations. All religious communities involved speak out clearly against discrimination and extremism, no matter who they belong to. The religious communities stand for a respectful mutual understanding – with an attitude that draws clear boundaries.

As cooperation partners, the religious communities work closely with the authorities in the context of school and beyond, to shape life in the Hanseatic city by holding a dialogue. This is how they counter discrimination and radicalization. In religious education for all, students learn together, completely regardless of their religious and secular background. They recognize similarities, explore differences, and practice appreciative interaction with cultural and religious diversity. This is how mutual understanding and respectful cooperation are created, which ensure cohesion in our city.

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September 30, 2025
Local business aims to be music sanctuary in nation’s capital – WTOP News

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7DrumCity is a local business that markets itself as one of the only places in the area for musicians where they are guaranteed to find the time, space and quiet needed for effective practice.

7DrumCity is a local business that markets itself as one of the only places in the area for musicians where they are guaranteed to find the time, space and quiet needed for effective practice.(Courtesy 7DrumCity)

Practicing a musical instrument in a densely populated city such as D.C. can be challenging due to noise restrictions or limited space in apartments and town houses.

Neighbors don’t necessarily want to hear someone playing the drums directly next door, for example.

That’s the foundation for 7DrumCity, a local business that markets itself as one of the only places in the area for musicians where they are guaranteed to find the time, space and quiet needed for effective practice.

It’s like a music sanctuary in the middle of the nation’s capital, explained 7DrumCity director of marketing, Amanda Dove.

“Through music and through community, we can live a more enriched life that’s not so focused on the everyday grind,” said Dove.

It’s located on North Capitol Street in Northwest D.C., right off Florida Avenue.

“D.C. is very much a business-driven city, and 7DrumCity is a reprieve from all of that,” Dove said. “A lot of people call it their second home.”

The business offers a unique blend of community, creativity and musical education, calling itself “D.C.’s premier hub for musicians and hobbyists to learn, rehearse and perform.”

People who want to practice an instrument by themselves can book a room, but there are rooms that can accommodate bands for people.

It is also a place where musicians who teach others bring their students for lessons. And, according to Dove, all the teachers who operate out of 7DrumCity have real-world experience on stage.

“When I was taking music lessons back in the day, my teacher was this little old lady who came to my house and taught me piano,” Dove said. “At 7DrumCity, you’re learning from certified rock stars who have industry knowledge.”

Bands don’t necessarily need to haul in all their equipment when they go there to practice, as rooms include a full drum kit, PA system, guitar amps, a bass amp and an 88-key weighted keyboard.

“Everyone has their unique style and is unabashedly themselves and that’s something that you don’t always get to see in D.C.,” Dove said. “I love that it’s just a comfortable space for everybody to express their individuality.”

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Nick Iannelli

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July 2, 2024
Hoffman Piano Academy Launches New Skateboard-Inspired Online Game for Kids

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Rhythm Shredder is an interactive, animated game, great for teaching students to perform rhythms accurately and with a steady beat

Press Release
–

Oct 6, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore., October 6, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Portland-based online piano school Hoffman Academy launched an animated skateboard-inspired interactive game, called Rhythm Shredder, just in time for back-to-school season. The game teaches students to perform piano rhythms accurately and with a steady beat and can be accessed with a Premium membership from the Hoffman Academy website. Watch the trailer here.

Rooted in early child development and learning theory, the Hoffman Method has reached over 265,000 students in 115 countries and has over 31 million views on YouTube. The method takes a multi-sensory approach to learn music using the piano, printable worksheets, and in-app activities while focusing on “experience before explanation.” The newest game, Rhythm Shredder helps students practice seeing, hearing, and tapping various rhythm patterns that gradually increase in complexity and difficulty. If successful, the animated skateboarder does tricks but when the student makes a mistake, the skateboarder falls down, and you get to try again.

“We’re excited to launch a new game that will excite and engage students of all ages with an EDM-style soundtrack that makes learning to read and perform rhythms cool,” says Joseph Hoffman, founder of Hoffman Method.

The online lessons offer an accessible solution for parents who want to nurture their children’s piano skills by offering free online piano lessons all year. Hoffman Academy’s mission is to bring affordable and accessible music education to homes worldwide. The Rhythm Shredder game is played from the Hoffman Academy website (Premium membership required), via any browser.

About Hoffman Academy

We’re on a mission to bring music into homes around the world. A complete musical education for everyone, everywhere. Hoffman Academy aims to inspire a new generation of music makers and creative thinkers through music education that is fun, effective, and available to everyone.

Source: Hoffman Academy

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October 6, 2022
ArtistWorks.com Announces Series A First Closing and Growth Debt Financing Closing

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Online Music Instruction Pioneer Receives Funding to Launch ArtistWorks Online “School of Music”

NAPA, Calif., October 30, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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ArtistWorks, an online music education company, today announced the first closing of their Series A round and the completion of a $1.1M growth debt financing with Montage Capital. The $1.6M Series A funding will remain open to investors through Dec. 31, 2017.

“We are pleased to receive this validation from industry leader Montage Capital and welcome their strategic guidance and funding that will power our expansion into new marketing channels,” says David Butler, co-founder and chairman of ArtistWorks.

Learning a musical instrument yields worthy academic benefits to teenagers – they learn valuable, lifelong skills. We want to provide that impact on students and to teach the world music.

Patricia Butler, CEO, Cofounder

“We see great potential in the unique ArtistWorks model and are supportive of their move into untapped online learning markets,” added Mike Rose, Managing Director of Montage Capital.

These funding rounds provide significant momentum for the company’s industry-unique music instruction business that uses their “Video Exchange Learning” to teach music online with 35 world-renowned musicians. An eight-year-old provider of music instruction to hobbyist players, ArtistWorks will now expand its premium quality learning experience to music students in grades 9-12 beginning in the second quarter of 2018. Proceeds from the funding will build and promote the new ArtistWorks “School of Music” online that will be the musical home to existing amateur players and in 2018, high school students. Any musician will be able to enroll in the ArtistWorks Accredited Music Program and receive a Certificate of Completion after successful achievement of the requirements. High school students will be able to earn course credit for learning to play a musical instrument online at ArtistWorks. In May of 2017, the company received academic accreditation as a supplemental education provider from the Accrediting Commission for Schools at the Western Association for Schools and Colleges.

All players seek high-level expertise, but getting meaningful feedback on their performance has been non-existent online until ArtistWorks. Currently, the online music faculty teach players in 80 countries and have recorded over 850 hours of music lessons categorized by instrument and genre. The 35 online music teachers have completed over 50,000 “Video Exchanges®” with their global student body. Each student can submit videos to their teacher who records a video reply, specifically addressing the student’s needs. The two paired videos comprise a Video Exchange which the entire online student membership can view and learn from. The Video Exchange Library not only provides an invaluable learning resource for student members, the ever-expanding content is generated at no cost to the company.

“Learning a musical instrument yields worthy academic benefits to teenagers – they learn valuable, lifelong skills. We want to provide that impact on students and to teach the world music,” says ArtistWorks CEO Patricia Butler.

ArtistWorks will work closely with Montage Capital to take full advantage of their industry expertise and relationships.

About ArtistWorks:

In 2008, former AOL executive technologist David Butler set out to finally master jazz guitar. With no acceptable teachers in his area, he built a revolutionary online system to enable anyone to get direct feedback from a master teacher anywhere in the world. Founded by David and former financial executive Patricia Butler, ArtistWorks.com is the leader in a new generation of online learning platforms. This patented Video Exchange® Learning platform enables world-renowned musicians to “teach the world music” by providing comprehensive, progressive video lessons and direct, asynchronous video feedback to online students, creating an industry-unique, two-way online learning experience.

About Montage Capital

Since 2005, Montage Capital has provided minimally dilutive growth debt to capital efficient companies. The firm’s tailored debt solutions allow companies to make the investments needed for growth while preserving ownership and control for early stakeholders. A unique component of Montage’s approach is it does not require prior or current equity support as a prerequisite for funding.

Contact:

Patricia Butler, CEO
ArtistWorks Online Music Instruction
pbutler@artistworks.com
(707) 255-1840

www.artistworks.com

Source: ArtistWorks

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October 30, 2017