Music Lessons in Bannockburn, IL

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer

As a kid, I grew up listening to all types of music, from soul, jazz, hip-hop, RB, contemporary, and rock. My mom introduced me to my first piano at the age of 6 and I was hooked. Music became a part of my soul. I had great teachers that continued to help me develop my skills and challenge me. I started in classical, and soon found myself getting into jazz and contemporary; Read More

Instruments: Piano

Alfred Publishing piano courses (both older and newer), Faber and Faber, Bastien, Edna Mae Burnam, and the Hal Leonard course have all been among my pre-published methods that I have used over the years. I have also adopted some technic content from elsewhere. For example, the Zion Conservatory of Music, where I taught from 2004 to 2018, uses a couple of different customized scale patterns for first- and second-year students. A book I have used with intermediate students is a Conus Russian piano method edited by James and Susan McKeever, who taught the Parkside piano pedagogy courses. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning piano students, I select a method book that will be best for the individual student. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for a recital performance. For voice students, I use the bel canto style of singing. Students will learn proper technique through vocal exercises and solo repertoire. We will focus on breathing, intonation, vowel formation, and posture among many other things. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

In my lessons, I like to start by helping the student really fall in love with drumming. You should only take lessons if you love and enjoy what you are doing. Then, I like to lay down a good foundation of rudiments and technique. I believe that by having a good understanding of rudiments and technique, it will greatly help eliminate many future setbacks when learning new/different styles. Without setbacks, the future always looks brighter. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

As a music teacher, it is my passion to inspire my students to create music at every level. Establishing good technique and fundamentals are important to mastering any art; they are the means by which music is expressed. My primary focus, however, is that performing music should always be fun and exciting. To this end, I believe that even playing simple scales and fundamental exercises should be musical and creative. Read More

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

I don't really use method books; instead, I prefer to teach students using material that they like. There's nothing more tedious than studying music that you can't stand - it's enough to turn students off to music altogether. I want to stoke the flames of a lifelong passion, and I believe that all music has something to teach us, so I'm happy to couch the fundamentals into terms that students can understand. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching when I was in middle school when I got the opportunity to assistant direct theater workshops in my town. I was hooked and for my Girl Scout Gold Award in high school, I ran a theater company for children of social service recipients. In college, I tutored struggling music theory and piano students and felt it was the perfect way to use my enthusiasm for music in a positive way beyond teaching. Read More