Music Lessons in Hales Corners, WI

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet

For all beginning students, I usually will take a lesson or two to assess where the student is at regarding music, depending on (if any) previous experience with music, e.g. piano lessons, etc. For trumpet students, I am not beholden to any one instructional method book. Usually, I will select whichever one I feel the student will be most successful utilizing. A couple of examples of method books I use are Standards of Excellence and Student Instructional Course. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Harp

For my students, I like to follow a similar method as my piano teacher by using the Bastien method, but also adding in songs that the student may be interested in so that it is fun and motivating. I also like to teach students to play by ear every so often because this is a skill that is extremely useful. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe

I have a passion for teaching and find it rewarding to see my student's accomplish goals that they have with playing their instrument. I encourage my students to participate with playing in live venues and support them by going out to music venues or concerts that they are performing at. I do my best to find music that they have an interest in playing and tailor instruction to their interests and learning styles. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I first got into music when I was in elementary school. My first instrument was the upright bass fiddler. This help me learn the notes on the bass clef. I later learned to play trumpet which was the instrument that used to audition to get into the Navy Band. I also played piano for college that I worked at called the College of Lake County in Greyslake, IL. I now play the electronic piano at the church that I attend, Parklawn Assembly of God. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

For beginning students, whether they are children or adults, I begin instruction with the Hal Leonard Essential Elements book for Clarinet. Once they have made their way through that book, I move onto the Rubank Beginner or Intermediate Method book, depending on how they have progressed. Around this time, I introduce my younger students to solo repertoire for clarinet. For adult students, I try to gauge their interest and instruct accordingly, whether they are performing in their church or community band, or simply playing for pleasure. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Beginner students with me, no matter what age, start by studying out of the Stick Control book which has many sticking combinations for developing strong hands. It's designed for snare drum but I convert those combinations to the drum set to make unique rhythms that exercise all four limbs. I also stress rudiments for everyone, which I apply to the drum set as well to make it fun. The other aspect of drumming I work on is independence of both hands and both feet. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

Ben holds a BM in Music Education (PreK-12 Instrumental) from Longwood University and an MM in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. While he majored in clarinet and performs primarily on bass outside of the concert band world, Ben is a multi-instrumentalist, performing with numerous ensembles on a number of different instruments. Past credits include the Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony (principal clarinet, bass clarinet), Aaron Noë All-Stars (electric and upright bass), Christian Youth Theater (electric and upright bass), Fredericksburg Academy Players (bass, drumset, guitar, auxiliary percussion), and the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra (clarinet, bass clarinet, timpani/aux. percussion). Read More