Dontrell Kelly

A'Capella ChoirChoirs (SSA, SATB, TTBB, etc)Digital InstrumentsDigital Music ProductionGeneral MusicJazz/Pop/Show ChoirMusic ProductionMusic FundamentalsLevel: SecondaryLevel: Post-Secondary/University
Written By Dr. Elisa Janson Jones
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Hello, my name is Dontrell Kelly. I am a producer and musician who teaches people of all ages how to express themselves musically. I have been playing piano and teaching music for over 15 years. As someone who had to overcome struggles with expressing himself with words, I have always been able to express myself through music. The peace, confidence, and joy I feel when playing the piano is unmatched, and my goal to teach others how to have this same experience.

 
 
 

  • My teaching approach is centered around fostering skill acquisition through a combination of structured, goal-oriented activities and personalized instruction. Here’s my process:

    I start by assessing each student's current skill level, learning style, and musical interests. This helps me tailor my approach to meet their specific needs and goals.

    I set clear, achievable objectives for each lesson and long-term goals for each student. These objectives are aligned with skill acquisition milestones, ensuring that each activity is purposeful and contributes to their overall progress.

    I design activities that build on previously acquired skills, ensuring a gradual and cohesive progression. This often involves breaking down complex skills into manageable parts and focusing on mastering each component before moving on.

    To keep students engaged and address different aspects of musicianship, I incorporate a variety of learning activities, such as: Technical Exercises: Scales, arpeggios, and finger exercises to build dexterity and precision. Repertoire: Selecting pieces that challenge current skills while introducing new techniques. Improvisation and Composition: Encouraging creativity and deeper understanding of musical structure. A major part of the process is regular feedback. I provide constructive feedback during lessons and encourage students to reflect on their progress. This helps them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

  • I have extensive experience serving as a mentor, co-teacher, and coach in various educational settings. But, In particular, I have conducted numerous 1:1 sessions with recurring appointments, focusing on personalized instruction and continuous improvement.

    As a coach, I worked with students individually to enhance their skills in specific subjects. This entailed assessing their needs, creating tailored lesson plans, and tracking their progress over time. My coaching sessions were structured to build confidence and competence in the targeted areas.

    Overall, my experience in these roles has equipped me with the skills to provide effective, ongoing 1:1 guidance and support, fostering growth and development in students.

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Dr. Elisa Janson Jones

Dr. Elisa Jones designs and scales learning systems for organizations and individuals. With an EdD in Instructional Design, an MBA in Strategy, and 20+ years building education platforms, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution experience.

She works at the intersection of people, systems, and technology—helping leaders and learners see what's actually working and what needs to change. Her approach is diagnostic, grounded in real-world constraints, and focused on outcomes that stick.

Learn more about her work at sovereign.plus, elisajones.ai, and the Music Teacher Guild.

https://elisajanson.com
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