Music Lessons in East Alton, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Bass Guitar

I began teaching almost five years ago privately freshly out of high school. I taught for two years privately and then taught with a music company for the last two and one-half years. Because of my extensive classical and jazz training, teaching beginning all the way to advanced students was a pleasure.I have found that every student has their own learning style and that it is my duty as an instructor to adapt to their particular learning style.I pride myself on being a versatile, engaging and personable instructor. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Since we're all different, I try to identify students' goals, interests and abilities as we progress. With few exceptions -- students whose temperament andpersonality dictate completing a book before considering another -- I always choose from a large assortmentof method, performance, classical books from my library. I also have a good collection ofBroadway musicals, jazz books, etc. (My favorite series is the Faber and Faber repertoire.) Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with note naming and sound. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. My goal in my method is to get my students fluent in playing the piano and knowing the methods of piano. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For beginning students, in their early twenties, I typically start by making a proper tone and learn how natural it can be. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of certain fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their performance career. As they progress, I try to find out, mutually, find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

I do not use any textbooks or piano method books in my teaching. I am almost completely self taught, but have had success with my own methods of teaching piano. I have my own musical examples written out, which I can easily print or email for students. For beginners, I generally focus on basic technique and practice routine. Once the student has mastered some fundamentals (scales, chords, etc.), I introduce beginning level repetoire and start with basic sight-reading techniques. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar

I started conducting private lessons while in college. I taught multiple high school age students with varying degrees of experience, making an interesting case of approach in my own teaching style. I have been able to incorporate what I have learned in my own lessons as a student into my lessons as an instructor. In turn, teaching in a smaller setting has helped with clearing some struggles in my own playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I started performing in my high school orchestra as the pianist, and had friends that wanted to learn to play. That was my first experience at teaching. I taught for the next eight years part time in Texas while I was majoring in Piano Performance and Theory. For the next 25 years, while I was working at my professional job, I kept teaching piano part time just because I loved the joy it brought to me and my students. Read More