Music Lessons in Darien, IL

Instruments: Piano

As a teacher nothing is more rewarding than seeing my students love and grow in their passion for music and the piano! I want them to feel like they are continuing to enjoy it most while growing at their own pace. It is important that we set goals so that we can continue seeing progress in their growth. The lessons I plan out for them are geared towards their continued progress in theory, technique, performance and scale work. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

Methods heavily depend on student. Everyone learns differently. I typically provide anything you may need, or can point you to libraries/databases. I heavily focus on tone and fundamentals, so applying it to the music comes seamlessly. For tone, I like both Phillip Bernold books, on embouchure and sound. Sonorite by Moyse as well. Graf can be catered to beginner to advanced students Articulation I enjoy of course Taffanel and Gaubert for all ages, Reichert for more advanced students. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

The first lesson is always partly an interview so I can understand exactly what the student's goals are. I typically establish good posture and breathing habits (or bowing and fingering, if violin) first and then move on to essential warm-up exercises. Those exercises then become their regular homework, to hopefully be practiced multiple times a week or if possible, every day. I remind the student of breathing and posture regularly - good habits are the goal! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet

I am not a teacher of "cookie cutter" lessons. I like to consult with parents and students before preparing an individually-tailored lesson plan for each of my students. It's my goal to engage students through music they already love, and (at the same time) introduce them to new music ideas and musical concepts/challenges. Building early repoire between teacher and student is crucial to building a working knowledge for performing music later on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginning students, I typically start with the Piano Adventures series. I learned from those books and they provide a well-rounded foundation of technique, lesson material, and performance material. That series also begins teaching basic music theory from the start. Piano Adventures is also great for visual learners- with pictures and diagrams to help understand the concepts in the lessons. My goal is to start students with strong technique and a practice plan. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I am a huge optimist when it comes to my teaching style. As I cater to each student, we will always celebrate the small wins! Singing is not a linear process but rather a journey that takes time and as long as you try, I will be right by your side rooting for you consistently to be the best you that you can be! In the journey of opening and discovering the voice, I remind students of the physical and mental advantages they can use in order for clear tones and healthy technique! Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

In my teaching methods, I focus on the correct positioning of both hands and the body as a whole. Freedom of play is important to me, which will help the student to develop technically and artistically. Over many years of experience working with beginners, I have developed my own methodology that enables rapid growth in the play, and my students show very good results already in the first year. An example of this is my student, who entered Manhattan School with a big scholarship after her first year of study performing a concert by D. Read More