Music Lessons in Elmwood Park, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

The most important aspect of teaching music is to keep the student excited and engaged! I want my students to be eager to learn. I keep all lessons fun and casual, but stress the importance of hard work. I always encourage daily practice sessions, even if just for 15 - 20 minutes. Repetition is key! I discuss our goals for the lessons (what do you want to get out of the lesson? why do you want to learn saxophone?) and strive to meet our goals. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I am a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. In 2007, I graduated from Roosevelt University with a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance. I don't perform professionally, but I do play in a few community bands throughout the Chicagoland area. In 2004, I graduated from VanderCook College of Music with my Bachelor of Music Education degree. I taught in a few elementary schools, but I like the idea of teaching students on an individual basis. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

My experience dates back to my high school days, in which I had the opportunity to help the beginners prepare for ensemble playing. Throughout my undergraduate days, I was able to work with colleagues in master class, lesson and rehearsal settings that have now won positions in the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, United States Naval Academy Band, Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Pershings Own United States Army Band. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Beginner students with me, no matter what age, start by studying out of the Stick Control book which has many sticking combinations for developing strong hands. It's designed for snare drum but I convert those combinations to the drum set to make unique rhythms that exercise all four limbs. I also stress rudiments for everyone, which I apply to the drum set as well to make it fun. The other aspect of drumming I work on is independence of both hands and both feet. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

For a lesson, George generally plays along with the student where the student plays a solo part with the teacher adding a second part. He also uses CD recordings with an instrumental part added having the student follow the recording.When teaching a piece, I will often ask the student to sight read notes and break down a composition into sections. Sometimes, I will have the student play just the treble notes, then bass, before adding the parts together. Read More

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

Aside from whatever primary genre they (or their parents) care to learn, students under my tutelage should expect to learn bits and pieces of everything; jazz, bluegrass, classical, metal, and anything else that I feel can create a 'musician-of-all-genres,' so to speak. One note: for parents interested in having their child learn classical guitar, I feel it's good to have the kid learn at least some other genres prior to moving onto classical. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I began teaching private lessons 6 years ago, primarily teaching drum set, and continued to have students on and off as some of my students from my home town would take lessons seasonally when I was not at school. I also have worked as a battery and front ensemble technician at various high schools in Indiana and Kentucky, co-ran a World Percussion Camp at Central Music Academy in Lexington, Kentucky for two years, and have been brought in on multiple occassions as a guest lecturer/clinician for both West African drumming and dancing as well as steel band at the collegiate level. Read More