Music Lessons in Granite City, IL

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider a number of variables when determining what and how to teach guitar to a student. First, I have to know what kind of music the student enjoys. Next, I need to know what level guitar player they are. If Im teaching a beginning guitarist, I will typically spend a majority of the lesson utilizing fun methods to build basic technique. If a student doesnt have a technical foundation, it may not benefit them to present them with music theory in the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Voice

After studying opera at The Boston Conservatory for one year, I transferred and finished my undergraduate coursework at Webster University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music in 2009. I studied voice under the direction of Debby Lennon, and was involved in numerous choral events, opera scenes, and jazz concerts. Shortly after graduation, I opened my lesson studio, and have been teaching ever since!  Many of my students have landed lead roles in school and community plays and musicals, and have also been invited to perform in the childrens, and teens choruses for The Muny.  One of my students even made it to Hollywood Week on American Idol this season! Read More

Instruments: Guitar

All music can be broken down into three categories: melody, harmony and rhythm. I tend to explore everything we do by observing how the given material utilizes one of these three elements (with rhythm being chief!). I love to instill the ideals that I have learned from my mentors into my own students. All guitar students are taught to think as musicians and not just as guitar players. I often think back on some of Miles Davis's famous words, "If it sounds right, it is right!". Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am thrilled to have been teaching private voice for over five years. First and foremost I focus on vocal health, striving to meet each studentxe2x80x99s individual goals and interests with a solid foundational technique. In addition to teaching privately, I am also currently conducting the Westminster Singers choir and focusing on sharing the joy of singing with music lovers from all walks of life. I have performed with local opera companies such as Gateway Opera and Winter Opera St. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

  Typically, students have music they are working on for their band class. I help students overcome any difficulties they have with this music and move on to more challenging material. If the student has no material, I typically use the Essential Elements book for beginning and intermediate students, and Rochut, Arbans, and other method books and solos for advanced students. The goal of lessons is to challenge the student with appropriate material, diagnose problems, provide solutions, and improve musical understanding and knowledge. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Classical Guitar

I love Faber and Faber for piano. I have several very young students doing the series for preschoolers. These materials are supplemented with Keith Snell's literature books. All students do at least one duet per year and two recitals.I love to take students as far as they can go in their lesson books and then back that up with the technic books, which are generally a bit easier. That helps with pacing the lessons and it pads the practice times. 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