Guitar Lessons in Cottage Grove, WI

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I'm a guitar and piano player who has been teaching students of all ages since 2011. I started playing guitar 17 years ago and it has been my constant companion since then. I got my music degree from Carleton College, and my senior project was on jazz guitar arranging. I have played in bands, both on guitar and bass, for many years and I love performing live. I have taught most styles of guitar, and also beginner piano and bass guitar. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

So far, I've taught some kids and adults.  I've learned that teaching kids versus teaching adult students is different. Each age group would require their own tasks. For instance, if I were to be teaching a kid who is maybe 10 years old, I would start off by introducing the notes on the instrument. Then, I would create games or exercises based on the new stuff we'd cover.  For an adult student, I wouldn't use any games on them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Electric Violin Double Bass Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

For beginning students, I usually start by creating a strong foundation in the student's mind of why they want to learn how to play an instrument and what goals, if any, they initially have for themselves. I then utilize this to help create individual based lesson plans that are driven by the inner workings of the student's mind. I incorporate music theory into every instrument at every skill level because I believe it to be something that is extremely important to understand and that not a lot of students are exposed to before they get to college. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is very simple. With the fundamentals in place, it's possible to learn any song you want to. If there's a song that goes beyond a student's fundamentals, then that's what we'll learn next. As my music teachers told me, if you listen to a record and you find something on it that you don't know how to play, go back and learn how to do it! Listening and learning is essential to playing the music that you want to be able to play as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute

As President of Monarch Records he led and managed teams that developed creative and unique marketing concepts for music releases. His teams set the standard for bridging online and bricks and mortar channels for today's specialty music marketplace targeted to adults. 
He has written, produced and performed on a wide variety of CDs found in major specialty market outlets targeted to adults worldwide (Sharper Image, Brookstones, Bed Bath Beyond, W.H Smith, American Greetings, Borders, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For younger students, I tend to make learning the guitar more enjoyable and fun. Since younger kids need motivation, I prefer to let them play with accompaniment in order to make the lesson and their playing more enjoyable. For more advanced students, I believe that introducing them to variety of music styles is essential to build their musical personality and let them decide what style they want to learn. Finally, I encourage my students to perform in public, so they can build their confidence and realize the great outcome of their hard work. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet

Despite growing up in a family full of musicians, it took me a while before realizing that music was one of my true passions and wanted to share that love of music with others. I have been playing trumpet for nearly 25 years now, first starting formal lessons when I was 10 years old. I began teaching myself guitar in college and have been playing for almost 15 years. Much of my classroom instruction in music was completed during my time at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Read More