Music Lessons in Berkeley, CO

Instruments: Guitar

For beginner students, I start with some fundamental basics but I always try to keep the information relatable to each individual student no matter what their skill level. I take a very individualized approach for each student and tailor the lessons just for them depending on what the student is interested in and their skill level. I like to teach by demonstrating information through songs that each student enjoys. The only books I tend to use are empty music books so I can write out specific music and instruction for each student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching experience truly began in my high school days, mostly in the leadership roles I had in choir. I was often in charge of sectionals and teaching music to the choirs. This really took off in my college career. Through the teacher education program, I have had several field experiences with both teaching classroom music and individual lessons. I have a couple semesters under my belt of private instruction as well as piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano

As I experienced different teachers, I learned that I do my best when I enjoy my lesson. To make this happen, it's the teacher's job to make the lesson more fun and comfortable for students. Since I was not always the best student for my teachers (I know, I know... I used to hate doing practices on pieces I didn't like!), I know how students think and am more than willing to understand their perspective. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Organ Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching right after I graduated from Berklee. I have worked in studios , but have been self employed for the most part. It’s very rewarding and creative that way. I have played 3,000 performances in my career, which gives me a unique perspective on teaching. I have run rock camps as well. I prepped the singers, drums, bass, keyboards, and guitar players. They had a concert for the parents at the end of the camp. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The type of material we can cover is very broad including scales, arpeggios, chords, chord construction, music theory, music reading, songwriting, learning songs, technique, etc... However it's very important to me to not teach material the student is uninterested in. Music is a language and every genre has its own language aside from music as a whole. For Example: If a student wants to learn how to play bluegrass I will not waste time teaching them Jazz oriented chord voicings, bebop phrasing, and other jazz oriented things. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

It depends! Everyone is different and Melissa’s goal is to tailor each student’s lesson depending on what work’s for the student, learning retention, and most important, having passion. When it comes to strings instruments such as the violin and viola, the common teaching methods would be Essential Elements book and/or Suzuki books. Everyone is different therefore not everyone is going to be taught the same way or follow the same pace. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I want to find out each student's skill level, and start from there. For beginners, I try to keep thing informal and fun while teaching basics without putting any pressure to get into the technical stuff like hand technique and reading until they're ready. For intermediate students, I nudged them along with weekly lessons that are challenging enough to keep them engaged - this includes reading, hand technique and limb independence. Read More