Guitar Lessons in Cresthill, IL

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a full time performer and music instructor who works with all ages and various levels. I perform multiple times a week at public and private events like bars, weddings, and farmer's markets doing a wide variety of styles. I have an extensive repertoire of over 8hrs of pop, rock, RB, and more, in addition to over 2 hours of children's music. Over the years, I have performed in hundreds of venues with a variety of bands primarily on guitar and vocals, but have also dabbled in drum kit, keyboard, and electronic performance. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching in the South Suburbs of Chicago in 2003, at a store called Ancient Music.  Shortly after that, I started teaching at a store called Melody, before I took on students on my own.  I took a hiatus from teaching because of some physical problems until 2012, when I started teaching at a place called Down Home Guitars in Frankfort Il.  In 2015 I started teaching at the Beverly Arts Center. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

No two students are exactly alike. Studies have proven that we all interpret colors differently, and it is the same for music and how we learn it. Though there are standard commercial methods that will help keep lessons focused, the goal is to find the best and most creative ways to use that information which will help build our understanding of music on a very personal level and not just teaching with a "learn this etude and come back next week" mentality. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I got my start in the experimental Minneapolis music scene as an adolescent in the early 2000's, the spirit of which I carried with me to Oberlin, OH. I got my Bachelors of Music from the conservatory there, where I designed my own major in Contemporary Bass Performance. The major allowed me to pursue my interest in Jazz, Classical, Computer Music and composition, extended techniques, and historical performance. In addition to my studies, I have toured internationally with the Oberlin Orchestra and several other groups, and have released seven albums of my own material. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have been passionate about music my entire life. I’ll never forget when I sat down to play drum set for the very first time as a kid and floored my parents. It came so naturally, I started playing funk, and they immediately bought me a drum set. I have since learned guitar, ukulele, and for the past decade or so have played traditional West African djembe and dunun (see the video). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary depending on the background and interests of the student. Typically I shy away from tabs since I read music notation. I do recommend learning the basics of reading music for anyone who is thinking of self study in their short or long-term commitment to any instrument. I usually suggest to the parent or student, that they research method books for guitar basics. Many times, a family member or friend will have a method book that will be more than suffice if it is a standard method book. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have a very hands-on teaching style. My style is very "goal-oriented," and I will teach students to set short-term goals, medium goals, and then demonstrate to them how reaching the short and medium-term goals leads to accomplishing long-term goals. This system allows students to remain motivated and track their progress as efficiently as possible. As a visual learner, I find it's extremely beneficial to teach shapes and how they can be manipulated to better serve a musical purpose along with the theory behind the shapes themselves. Read More