Music Lessons in Cross Plains, TN

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Mallet Percussion

My experience as a teacher has been varied. I have taught private lessons to ages 8-14, taught music at the high school level for 3 years, and recently taught as an adjunct professor at the university level. At one point my wife an I owned a Music Together Franchise where we taught music to toddlers with their gaurdians. Needless to say I have taugh music to a wide range of students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I love piano! I am finishing a second Master's degree in Piano Performance at Austin Peay State University (anticipated graduation - December 2015). I completed a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree in music composition/piano/musicology in 2001 and am active as a composer/arranger in the Nashville area. I also hold a Master's degree in music ministry and have served as minister of music and minister of music and youth in churches in Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. Read More

Instruments: Violin Banjo Fiddle

My teaching style is relaxed, but determined. I want lessons to be fun and inspirational rather than scary and demoralizing. You should look forward to your lesson each week and come away from it feeling inspired to work harder and check out some great recordings. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Anyone can look up tutorials or guitar tabs on where to put your fingers to play a particular song, but most people don't know how to understand the underlying relationships so as to manipulate those sounds in your own way. That's the basis for songwriting, composition, learning new songs quickly and improvisation. This process truly demystifies music no matter what instruments you'd like to play. I also employ ear training via the solfege system (moveable Do) to help folks who want to be able to identify things by ear and improvise more fluently. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I love to see kids progress in music and become excited about it!! My teaching style is very paced and hands on. If a student isn't getting something, I like to slow it down until they they do. I'm very complimentary and positive during lessons; this helps the student be confident. I also try to give the student a guideline on how to practice and how to pace themselves throughout this process. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

“Russ is one of the absolute best students I have ever had in my long teaching career at Berklee College of Music. Russ is very talented, smart, highly disciplined and open minded as a musician. Having Russ as a teacher will be an experience where the student will receive an effective, focused, and open minded approach to the students individual musical needs and interests.” -Dave Weigert, Drum Instructor, Berklee College of Music. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I use the Suzuki method as well as the Doflein method books, and will choose other specific methods depending on what else the student would like to learn and what will help develop style,technique, and musicality. We will also have fun with seasonal and holiday music. Playing the violin is not about burying your head in a piece of music and learning just for memorization. It's about having fun, enjoying the music, making it musical, and most of all, loving what you are doing. Read More