Music Lessons in Hiram, OH

Instruments: Piano

1980 - Present- Provide private piano lessons to children and adults; lessons include music theory as well as instrumental practice. Students participated and awarded on state and federal festivals and competitions. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I am a very kinesthetic teacher. We move around the room a lot during lessons because piano, flute, and voice should be an extension of music that is first heard in the mind (inner hearing/audiation), so note playing/singing is not merely a muscle memory. We sing, tap, or clap 90% of music we learn before we attempt to play it on an instrument or sing it resonantly. Thinking through a vocal line and anticipating the high notes and the openness needed in the body/throat and the breath support needed will help the student discover an unknown freedom and give them tools to help transfer this into other songs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

It's important to me that private lessons incorporate dialogue as much as possible. A student's feedback and questions are invaluable when deciding how to proceed. Rather than handing the student new materials from week to week without regard for their personal needs, I prefer to really dig in and figure out what their specific barriers to improvement are. I believe that the best way to do that is open communication, and I try to encourage that by conveying my excitement for music and learning at every lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

I am an educator and musician with many vast and varied experiences in the field, from performing as a drummer in popular music groups, to instructing students individually and in groups from the time I was 16 years old. I began my college studies at Eastern Michigan University, becoming a member of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point after my junior year. While at West Point I completed my bachelor's degree at the State University of New York and a Master's in Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I'm a motivated instructor of both clarinet and saxophone. I have been teaching full time for the past 22 years working with different schools and studios. I currently teach both saxophone and clarinet in a nearby public school during the day. Students have the option of taking lessons during the school day instead of after school. I enjoy playing in area ensembles and have worked with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony as a woodwind coach for the past 6 years, I hold both a bachelor of music education and early childhood degrees. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hannon and Byer for the basic traning, as well as John Thompson. Once the students has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More