Music Lessons in Capitol Hill, CO

Instruments: Clarinet

Howdy!I'm a musician and instructor with a relatively eclectic background, which, I hope, colors my expressiveness and pedagogy in interesting ways. I'm originally from Idaho, where I received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance. I came to Colorado five years ago to attend University of Colorado. After working with the faculty there and under the mentorship of Dan Silver, I received my Masters of Music in Music Performance.I play in the Denver/Boulder area and am actively teaching a studio of bright, young clarinetists. Read More

Instruments: Drums

On the first lesson, I seek to establish long-term goals based on the interest and skill level of the player. One of the first questions I ask is, "what song do you want to learn the drum part to?" The most important thing about playing any instrument is to have fun, so I custom-tailor every lesson in order to see the most enjoyment on my students' faces as possible. While I have hundreds of pages of exercises I have written from which to pull, I will usually hold off even opening my book until I feel the student is ready to have fun with it. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginning students I use essential elements and elementary cornet methods. As students progress to more intermediate level I begin introducing the Arbans, Clarke, and method books from Stamp and Schlossberg. These methods are a great gateway into advanced playing and contain methods for intermediate to advanced players. As students become more advanced I introduce more difficult method books and challenging solo and etude books such as Sachse, Charlier, Glantz and St.Jacome. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I have been fortunate to have experienced a long and multifaceted journey in music: from performing to conducting and orchestra, from teaching to defending my PhD, from creating a music department to managing it. Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing the improvement in the skills and ability to enjoy music in students of all levels. My varied music and career experience gave me the experience and wisdom to guide my students to better themselves, be it musically, professionally or personally. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Music is one of the highest arts we have, often described as a universal language. I hope my teaching encourages students towards forming their own answers for "why?" and helping them to discover the "how" with every piece of music they work with. Together with my students, I want to help them find a higher purpose for the act of preparation, practice, study, and performance, so that these come from a genuine place. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Ukulele

With most beggining students I use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements 2000. For intermediate students I find the Rubank methods move at a faster pace and put a larger emphases on scales. For beginning students, when students are ready I will introduce an easy solo book. In most cases I use Belwin Master Solos or an Essential Elements supplement depending on the interests of the student. For students interested in learning jazz or other forms of improvisation, I would use Hal Leonard's "How to Play from a Real Book" in combination with the Hal Leonard or Aebersold play-along series. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Bass Guitar Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a professional educator with a passion for music. I hold a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from DePaul University, and have studied guitar, mandolin and music theory at The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I've played mandolin and guitar in several stringbands, and currently perform with Chain Station (chainstation.com), based in Denver, CO. Aside from guitar and mandolin, I also play the fiddle and ukulele. Read More