Music Lessons in Hilltop, CO

Instruments: Voice

For beginning students, I focus on the essentials of theory and intervals and combine with the Voice for Life method. Each lesson is tailored to the student's needs and goals, so no lesson is exactly alike in structure. For intermediate to advanced students, I focus on aural (ear) training, sight singing and rhythm and follow it with prepared pieces in order to be "audition ready". For the intermediate to advanced students, I don't use a specific tool for teaching as I feel once you are past the fundamentals of music, everyone learns differently. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Drawing a grand staff and then drawing notes on the staff help the student understand how music is written. Once basic theory is introduced, I look for music that I hope the student will enjoy playing. I know that there is music I love to play and music I would rather not play. It is important to find at least once piece that the student really likes and looks forward to playing. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginning students I use essential elements and elementary cornet methods. As students progress to more intermediate level I begin introducing the Arbans, Clarke, and method books from Stamp and Schlossberg. These methods are a great gateway into advanced playing and contain methods for intermediate to advanced players. As students become more advanced I introduce more difficult method books and challenging solo and etude books such as Sachse, Charlier, Glantz and St.Jacome. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning students I teach the fundamentals: holding the instrument, explaining how it works, and then how to make a sound. I focus on sound first and foremost, trying to make a pure sound, and then hearing and being able to understand how the instrument works. I don't get into simply reading exercises until the student has a firm grasp and enthusiasm for the instrument. With older students I work with what their goals are; for example if All-State Band is the goal we focus on playing band excerpts and the level of fundamentals needed to get there. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

As a licensed teacher with experience teaching pretty much every age (1st grade-adult) and skill level of students, across a wide variety of subjects (English lit.-music theory), I have developed a music program that gets students learning fast -- and enjoying it! As much as I love making music -- being part of a group performing songs live is a huge thrill! -- that's not my profession... My profession is teaching. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My first priority is to make sure the student has fun. This keeps my second priority in check, which is to teach the student as much as I can in the short amount of time we have. There is so much I love about drumming that I want to share, and the focused, eager, and attentive students receive the full benefit of my teaching style. However, many students are more relaxed, so I adjust my pace accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Ukulele

I started playing trumpet in middle school band and enjoyed playing so much I quickly started a group with my brother and friends. Since then I have played more than 2000 shows at venues ranging from the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater to the intimate El Chapultepec. I attended Metropolitan State University of Denver, while there I started helping out at my old high school and found that I enjoyed teaching trumpet. Read More