Music Lessons in Cornelius, OR

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

My desire is to bring your musical goals into focus through education and creative participation. I believe piano instruction should be geared to the student, fun and casual, yet challenging and inspiring. I also believe patience and encouragement are essentials to a great lesson experience. I teach sight-reading, music theory, improvisation and notation, and I'm comfortable in many styles, including classical, pop and rock. You will gain skills for ensemble playing, writing your own music, or simply playing for your personal enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching style involves stressing feel, timing, and confidence over note-for-note accuracy. I also spend a lot of time developing proper technique with my students, to ensure that my students do not form bad habits that limit their improvement. Trained in a competitive drumline environment, I have an eagle eye for ways to rapidly improve students' techniques and rudimental abilities. I pass this wisdom on to my students in a much more comfortable, low pressure environment than the world of drumline, however. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

My teaching experience began with giving private lessons in 1997. My teaching methods and training have further developed through clarinet pedagogy workshops and classes. Performance experience includes formal recitals to complete my undergraduate degree, and playing with ensembles such as the Portland Wind Symphony, Oregon Sinfonietta, Portland Community Wind Band, Northwest Wind Symphony, Opera Theater Oregon, Oregon Symphonic Band, North Coast Symphonic Band, Astoria Music Festival and a variety of small chamber ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I have been teaching beginning piano to younger students and flute to students of all ages! I have also had the opportunity to teach overseas when my university's wind ensemble went on tour to Asia. My experience is mostly with classical music, but I have some experience in jazz. Not too much though! I love to encourage a consistent practice schedule and I emphasize having fun while practicing. Practicing should not be work, but a way to set goals and find enjoyment in achieving them and a time to make music that can make YOU happy. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I enjoy giving my students control over their own learning process at times. This means that I will sometimes provide them choices within the context of what I am trying to teach them. I also make lessons fun by performing duets with students to take a break from the daily material. I also emphasize site-reading in every lesson to develop this much-neglected skill. All of these techniques are designed to keep the student mentally engaged because it is only then that they will truly be learning as much as possible. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My students describe me as genuine and passionate with a youthful, energetic teaching style.  Lessons are always enjoyable and productive.  I show my students techniques to focus, and get more done with less wasted time. I cater my lessons to fit the student's learning style and to maximize potential.  Music is truly a passion for me and I enjoy seeing my students grow! My creativity and patience allow me to explain concepts that may have stumped you in the past. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like the aphorism by British guitarist and educator Robert Fripp "We begin where we are". It means to me that at any given point we are all beginners. So if we come with an open mind to explore and learn something new, perhaps what it could be challenging might become easier if we apply the right mind set. So if we are learning a scale...perhaps we begin with a note at the time, then add a second and third, so on, until we have all eight notes or sixteen. - Slow down: If you want to play fast you gotta be able to play it slowly with accuracy and precision. Read More