Music Lessons in De Soto, KS

Instruments: Voice

I am a recent graduate of Kansas State Unviersity's vocal music program and am incredibly excited the share my love of music with you! Throughout college, I had the opportunity to perform with many different groups in many different styles. I performed with two different 9 member vocal jazz ensembles singing jazz standards, latin, samba and bebop charts. I performed with 3 different mixed voice choirs as well as a large all-male ensemble singing in countless styles. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I love seeing students succeed and developing a love for music! Each student learns and progresses at different paces, so it is important to me to set realistic goals based on the individual. Encouraging and acknowledging their success is very essential to helping the student progress and desire to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Other experiences I have teaching include being a Mentor in Illini Mentoring Program (mentioned above), along with being a part of the UofI-Juvenile Detention Center Arts Project in spring of 2017. This coalition formed of UI students and professors helped to generate meaningful musical experiences for incarcerated youth, providing them with a possibility to be kids again in trying times, and to promote restorative justice. Since 2017, I have gotten the opportunity to teach lessons here and their to peers (college age), but I'm ready to delve into the exciting world of private teaching and help share my knowledge and passion for music with others ready to learn. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I love to see my students grow and develop a deeper passion for music. It is important that the student makes progress at his or her own pace. I encourage setting realistic goals in their practice and in our lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps keep the student motivated to become a better musician, and makes students eager to learn more. Finding what works for the student is important to me because not everyone learns the same. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Each student comes in with their own unique experience, ability level, and personality. So, while the overall structure of my lessons is going to be the same for everyone, it is vital that I set realistic goals for each student based on their own experience and individuality. Each student should be able to look back over the course of a year and pinpoint areas in which they have improved...having this conversation is one of the huge payoffs of teaching! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I believe that an understanding of music theory and learning to read music is the foundation of success for both my piano and voice students which is why I typically require my voice students to be taking piano simultaneously with voice. For beginning piano students, I will typically begin with the James Bastien Primer/Level 1 Series with the focus split equally between theory and technique. I require students to fill out a practice log monthly to ensure that they are maintaining the knowledge and skills they learn in lessons and so that parents can be involved in their progress. Read More