Music Lessons in Grafton, OH

Instruments: Guitar

For young beginners, I usually start with simple note reading so that they can begin playing tunes right away. When children realize that they can play "Happy Birthday" or "Jingle Bells" after just a couple of lessons, their interest level increases. For older students, I tend to ask "What does playing the guitar look like to you? What do you imagine yourself doing when you ponder it?" This gives me the best idea of what direction we can plan for. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music is meant to be fun, so I make the guitar lessons fun!! I have a pretty relaxed approach to teaching the guitar! No stress!! I have my students provide me with a list of artist or bands that they enjoy listening to as well as songs from those artists that they are interested in learning. I review the list and select an appropriate song for them to learn based on the complexity of the song and their ability. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

During my experience teaching clarinet to students representing a wide spectrum of abilities, either at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Interlochen Arts Academy, or Cleveland School of the Arts, I have always strived to elicit a strong work ethic and joy for the process of music-making. Having been exposed to various methods of teaching the clarinet, it surely helped me throughout the years; having students from all over the World brought even greater spectrum to the approach that I have already been taking. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

To me, it is most important that a student feels successful in what they have accomplished each lesson. Every student progresses at their own rate and it's important to give students attainable short-term goals in the service of long-term achievements. It is also important to know what drives each student and understand why they want to take private lessons. This will give the student a degree of inspiration which us as teachers can use to help them stay focused and interested in continuing with their studies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello

I have been teaching for over 15 years and I love watching students grow in their musical abilities. I get so excited when the passion comes out of them into their playing. I got my Bachelors in music performance on cello, but I started on piano and violin when I was six years old. I have performed all over Northeastern Ohio and it was a great experience being able to share the love of music with other people. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

As previously stated, I believe that each session should be individualized to best suit each student's needs. For a typical beginner, I will first teach posture and note identification followed by basic warm-ups. Once the basics are taught, the student will be allowed more flexibility in the repertoire and specific skills he/she wants to learn. For children, I may teach fun, short, simple songs first to keep the student engaged. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I am a very kinesthetic teacher. We move around the room a lot during lessons because piano, flute, and voice should be an extension of music that is first heard in the mind (inner hearing/audiation), so note playing/singing is not merely a muscle memory. We sing, tap, or clap 90% of music we learn before we attempt to play it on an instrument or sing it resonantly. Thinking through a vocal line and anticipating the high notes and the openness needed in the body/throat and the breath support needed will help the student discover an unknown freedom and give them tools to help transfer this into other songs. Read More