Music Lessons in Highland, IL

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: Piano Organ Keyboard

Some examples would be Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, Jerry Lee Lewis, Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown), Keith Jarrett, and Otis Spann. I consider myself a bit of a "late bloomer". I didn't start playing piano seriously until I was 16 years old, but a lot of hard work has gotten me to this point, and I am excited to continue to hopefully inspire others and help them love all types of music! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Piccolo Keyboard

My teaching style places emphasis on relationship building, knowledge grabbing and demonstration. Developing a relationship includes relatability, comfort & communication. Here humor is used. Smiles & laughs always lessens the stress & makes learning enjoyable. In addition, time-management and the setting of daily goals together encourages the info retention. Verification of individualized overactive is emphasised within my teachings as well. It is highly important for students to demonstrate skills daily & throughout the session. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I first started teaching private guitar lessons while with Eberhardt Music Corporation. I taught students ranging from 7 to 25 for a period of one year. My next teaching experience consisted of teaching Class Guitar at Buerkle Middle School in the Mehlville School District. Next,I taught a guitar class of ten students while employed with the Inland Valley Performing Arts Center. And most recently, I have about six months experience teaching guitar students out my own home studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Looking back over my recent careers -- including positions in the public relations, marketing, writing and editing fields -- THE most rewarding has been teaching and performing piano. Some former students are enrolled at prestigious colleges, conservatories and universities. Others are pursuing degrees in medicine and higher education. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning and intermediate students I utilize the Bastien Method books series, which includes supplemental Theory and Technique books that can be purchased if needed.  These students each select performance pieces which they enjoy and are level-appropriate from a variety of sources. More advanced students focus primarily on challenging performance pieces, several of which are selected as 'keepers' for practice and review.  Lessons include technique practice (scales, arpeggios, finger exercises), theory (from textbooks, flashcards etc.) music history, instrument mechanics, ear training and musicianship (such as rhythm and sight reading drills, dictation) and student compositions (notation and continuation methods). Read More

Instruments: Voice

I hold a doctorate degree in Music and specialize in teaching classical music from the Renaissance period, Baroque, classical periods, as well as pop and broadway. I teach all voice types, with expertise in mezzo soprano and countertenor literature, but vast knowledge in all. I use proven vocal techniques along side vocal yoga practices to help people to find their true, natural voice. I have considerable experience training those with disabilities, mental illnesses, and performance anxiety. Read More