Music Lessons in Gales Creek, OR

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For kids I find that having a large quantity of music to learn at each level gives more variety and sense of achievement, so I usually recommend beginning students have multiple books to aid in learning. For example a young piano student will study from lesson, theory, performance, and technique books each week. This yields a well-rounded student who is proud of their achievements and eager to move forward. For adults I recommend a lesson/theory combination book at least to help with reading music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching style can be adjusted to each particular student. Some students take piano lessons for relaxation, others are wanting to pursue a career in music. I can teach for both styles or even a combination of both styles. I set goals for each week that is provided in the piano homework or play work that I assign. I find this works very well. I have a very calm approach to my teaching and do not force things to work or happen. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

My teaching style is casual and professional, and you can expect low-stress top-notch musical education from me. Though I am lighthearted, I am serious and passionate about the music and inspire students with acknowledgment and praise when goals are reached. Musical accomplishemnts (learning to play real songs/pieces) are the best fuel for fire, and I push students to reach for more challenging and engaging performances. At the same time, music should be fun, and so should music lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle

Festivals include International Celtic Colours Festival, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia;International Festival-Institute at Round Top, Texas; Aspen Music Festival and School, Colorado. Performance experience includes: Miami Symphony Orchestra, Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, Chehalem Symphony Orchestra, Cape Breton Chamber Orchestra, Lafayette Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Reno Symphony Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Newport Oregon Chamber Orchestra. Teaching experience includes: Miami Dade College, George Fox University, Davis & Elkins College, Indiana University, University of Nevada. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I believe that fundamentals are the most important, and these should always be a focus. However, I also understand that you play an instrument to have fun as well. I believe that there should be a mixture of hard work and play, and will often assign fundamental exercises combined with solo or duet material. I also believe there should be an overarching goal to be achieved - this could be anything from intonation, to memorizing scales, to performing a recital. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Each student is at a different level, and therefore requires different teaching methods. I like to implement the Hanon exercises for scales and warm-ups, also focusing on things like scales and arpeggios. For the guitar, I like to incorporate these concepts with chordal exercises as well, such as playing progressions to let the student's fingers grow accustomed to their forms. I then let the student tell me what his or her focus is, such as theoretical, classical, or popular. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

I can teach any skill level. If you are beginning with zero experience, the first thing I teach is middle C. It's the center of the universe as far as the piano is concerned. I also teach 'spider position', which is how the student wants to have their hands positioned. Intermediate students can dictate to me what they want to work on. If they just want to learn "Charlie Brown" I can teach that, or if they want a more regimented lesson plan I can do that as well.  I also have advanced students. Read More