Music Lessons in Garfield Park, IN

Instruments: Saxophone

My goal for every lesson is for the students to feel accomplished by the end. This gives them the drive and inspiration that they need to become a great player. I also like to acknowledge students improvements on things they have practiced. In my mind a student will never improve with intense mean criticism. I always acknowledge the good first and things to work on second. This helps with there overall confidence in there playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

For piano, I typically use the Faber Piano Adventures Series; however, I am open to other method books as well. The Faber series has theory, technique, lesson, and performance books, each with different skills and techniques to learn. I find that those books offer the most comprehensive learning. In addition to the Faber books, I also utilize online worksheets for supplemental learning. For guitar, I typically use online worksheets and chord sheets, and from there, I encourage students to purchase specific guitar books they are interested in (for example, Disney books, classic rock books, Beatles books, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I started playing guitar at age 8. In my formative years I studied with various instructors around central Indianapolis until mid year of '85. Upon this time I studied a full year with James Lee Thorpe whom eventually played, toured recorded with Sweet F.A. They released albums with MCA Chrysalis Records. I began composing my own riffs, melodies and solo work at age 15 also. I studied Music Theory my Junior year at Ben Davis High School. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

My teaching philosophy has five basic elements that I always follow: differentiation, engagement, feedback, ownership, assessment and questioning. I teach students with different music levels, backboards, and ages. I try my best to start with what my student can do then extend within student's own context, so each of my students is very unique and special for me. And I always hope to cultivate my students, especially young students to become a better person through their music learning journey which is how I learned most from my music teachers. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For young beginning students, I really like to emphasize the fundamentals using whatever book the student uses for their band class. Once they get a good grasp on the fundamentals, then I start to introduce some solo repertoire appropriate to their skill level. For students who are older, I like to find out what area of the trumpet they want to improve on and structure our lessons to try and improve on those areas, as well as incorporate other fundamentals and solo repertoire. I try to make the lessons as fun as possible and geared towards what the student wants to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

When I think of teaching, I think of how rewarding it is to get to know each student and their families. I encourage parents to stay in the lesson (not required). There is so much to learn and see. My students each have a plan each week outlining not just WHAT to practice but HOW to practice. I often say if you practice HOW I am asking you to practice, you will learn a lot and progress. Read More

Instruments: Viola

For students that are children or just beginning I start with establishing foundations in music structure and rhythm. The Suzuki school of teaching is often used but not always. Intermediate students are flexible with where the lesson plan is headed while each lesson is tailored to the individual student's learning style. Intermediate students are coached on form, music theory, and musicality. Advanced students are even more flexible with lesson style depending on individual goals followed up with coaching on musicality and performance presence. Read More