Music Lessons in Gurnee, IL

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have in my repertoire numerous lessons that I provide for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students alike. For young children, I start with the fundamentals, ensuring that the child has grasped the concepts before moving on. For older children or adults, I first assess the student's musical interests (e.g., genres/styles, acoustic/electric guitar, style(s) of playing, etc..) and teach to their interest, beginning with the fundamentals, the foundation, and subsequently moving on to more complex concepts, all the while ensuring that the lessons are fun and engaging. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique, followed by artistic expression. My teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. To progress, students must practice daily. I let my students know that quality and focus of practice is far more important than duration. They learn to isolate 2 or 3 measures, and repeat them slowly until accuaracy is achieved consistently. I convey my love of teaching by: complimenting students on achieving goals, smiling, being energetic, making sure the student lets me know when he/she does not understand a concept and re-explaing it until it is understood with gentleness and patience, bringing in adjunct music from which the student, after hearing me play several excerpts, can select several pieces, playing duets with the student, and encouraging students to compose their own songs by ear, which I later notate. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe English Horn

As I said earlier I tend to use the Rubank and Essential Element books in lessons. I start with seeing what the students goals are and making a goal sheet. For instance if a student is interested in Musicals. We will start with our basic warm up and techniques but on top of that I would assign an excerpt from a musical that correlates with the current lesson. So that way the student is working toward their goal and having fun doing so. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I love performing and teaching. These are my twin passions--my calling, if you will. I stay active doing and improving both of these areas. I also have a broad range of musical interests and knowledge that I bring to every lesson, as well as to every performance. I can play and teach reggae music, for example, but I also provide a history and cultural context of the style--information that leads to better, more authentic performances. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

After one summer there, I knew I would have to return for many more. Every summer I am astonished by how much fun students can have in just 3 weeks while they are working and improving their playing. The real skill I try to teach all my students is how to enjoy practicing. If a student can learn that, they will have a way to enjoy themselves for the rest of their life. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My first job at the age of 16 was as a beginning guitar instructor, and since then I have been a teacher for over 1000 students. My students have ranged from pre-literate 4 year olds learning the ukulele, to the middle aged working man looking to pick the guitar back up, to the retiree looking for a new hobby. I currently instruct over fifty students, in addition to my pre-k music classes of which I have over 100 students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I love seeing my students excited about music. I like students to bring in music they feel passionate about so we can break it down and start to understand what makes it work. I find it important to set goals, adjust goals when things arent working and celebrate them when they are. Because of the great instruction I have had in my life, I understand the importance of being a teacher. Read More