Music Lessons in Alton, IL

Instruments: Piano

I love teaching piano and helping people of all ages to enjoy music! I have a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from Webster University, 2003, and a Masters in Music History and Literature from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2005. I offer flexible scheduling and I teach both out of my home at at students' homes.  I have a gentle teaching style, a wacky sense of humor and work well with kids and adults at all stages of development. I would be happy to tailor the lesson plan according to your personal plans and repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have performed all over the country since my days in middle school. I took on my first student in Denver about 10 years ago. I am still building my studio in St. Louis and would love to get the chance to include new students! At school, I regularly lead sectionals to help my fellow violists master the repertoire. I am a firm believer in the growth mindset and I believe that everyone can be successful in music with the right instruction. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Bass Guitar

My teaching style may vary depending upon the student. I have several books and other teaching material available for my students. These include: Berkley Music Theory I and II, several Hal Leonard, and Fischer books and more! Lesson material will mostly depend upon the student's goals and current skill-set. EVERY lesson will consist of: assessing and tracking the student's skill-set, solidifying the student's goals along with my goals for the student, and creating a plan of action to follow in order to reach these goals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

All music can be broken down into three categories: melody, harmony and rhythm. I tend to explore everything we do by observing how the given material utilizes one of these three elements (with rhythm being chief!). I love to instill the ideals that I have learned from my mentors into my own students. All guitar students are taught to think as musicians and not just as guitar players. I often think back on some of Miles Davis's famous words, "If it sounds right, it is right!". Read More

Instruments: Voice

As a voice teacher, I have greatly enjoyed sharing the gift of music with others. It is important to me that singers always find joy and fulfillment in making music. I work with each singer to choose repertoire that is interesting and enjoyable to work on, and that will allow them to grow musically. We set goals from week to week that will encourage home practice as well, since just like any other skill, learning to perform musically takes time and dedication. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

For intermediate and advanced students, I like to figure out what kind of popular music (rock, blues, jazz, pop) that they would like to play and learn more about, and then learn repetoire or basic techniques in that particular genre. Again, I specialize mainly in popular styles, and am not much of a classical player. My hope is to give intermediate and advanced classically trained students a good foundation in popular styles, and once the foundation is there, start working on repetoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Piccolo Keyboard

My first experience teaching music began immediately after graduation college and had continued to the present day. Originating as the music teacher at a girl's club the summer after my college graduation, my music profession soon began. There my eyes were opened to the benefits music has on children. This is also where I learned a lot about myself musically. While teaching music theory, choir & directing the summer musical started its cycle of my evolution here, this was only is beginning. Read More