Music Lessons in Castle Rock, MN

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

My style of teaching is different for each student. After meeting the student, I suggest setting a goal, working towards that goal for 4 -6 weeks - after which an assessment is made by me to determine how best to continue. For the younger student I often demonstrate, or play with them. Encouraging recital participation, finding the right performance piece helps me determine what inspires the student, young or old. Negativity in lessons is not acceptable and never happens with me as your teacher. Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Piccolo Music

I am accomplished music instructor and performer with more than five years of teaching experience and over thirteen years of performance experience. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities under the tutelage of Immanuel Davis and hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Michigan State University studying under of Richard Sherman. Along with my private and volunteer teaching experience, I have also played an active role in the University of Minnesota and Michigan State University’s student ensembles; Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Euphonium French Horn Tuba Oboe Keyboard

Traditional but relaxed, with the goal of helping the students to reach their maximum level by building on success. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it’s important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my student at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students’ desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more.By trying to find out what inspires the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium Mallet Percussion

Additionally, I like students to work on solos with piano accompaniment, although I don't require it. I am also a big fan of using duets to build listening skills and fluidity (and most students think duets are fun!). For piano lessons, I have experience with a variety of methods; each has its strengths and weaknesses. If a student is already using a particular method, we can continue with that if it seems to be working well. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I like to begin students in the Arban's Conservatory Method book, it is a very thorough book with a lot of examples of most technical things a student should work on. It is a very comprehensive book that doesn't focus on anything in particular but covers everything well. I then like to move into books that focus more on different aspects of playing such as Charlier, Vizutti, Brandt, and Orchestral Excerpt books meant for Smphony auditions. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I like to focus for the first few weeks on playing scales and songs without written music, and I continue to incorporate learning by at any level. When I begin using written music I use the Accent on Achievement or Essential Elements method (I am also comfortable with other standard elementary methods and would be happy to use whatever method a student's band director is using), which is a good place to start whether or not the student already reads music. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For me, voice teaching is all about the individual. Unlike a violin, trumpet, piano, or other instrument of a fixed size and shape, voices come in all shapes and sizes. Each students physiology and psychology is different and responds better to different stimuli/approaches. In singing, our bodies are our instruments! Therefore, there is no one size fits all approach to teaching voice. It thrills me to get to know a student and work with them in a cooperative and encouraging way to achieve his or her goals. Read More