Music Lessons in Hopkins, MN

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello

I try to strike a balance between music lessons being serious and being fun. I expect my students to practice almost every day and I expect that the parents will be part of keeping them accountable for scheduling that practicing. Lessons are a combination of learning technical skills and learning songs, which usually are mostly classical songs with a few contemporary songs thrown in for motivation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

For beginning students, I typically start with the universal drum exercises every drummer should know, like the Ted Reed's book "syncopation" or the very classic "stick control". These exercises are mostly for warm ups, hand coordination, internalizing rhythm, and speed training. Depending on their musical background, I often like to introduce basic music theory concepts just so we are able to speak the same language. Once a foundation is set, I quickly move to what the student's interests are. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Piccolo

Music has always been my greatest passion. I became a teacher so I could spread that passion to my students and watch them succeed at something that they love. I believe it is important for all students to learn at their own pace and that is why I prefer the individual attention I can provide as a private lesson teacher over a classroom teacher. Each lesson will be centered around the student reaching realistic goals and learning essential music elements while playing music that inspires them to continue to include music in their daily lives. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For "pop-style" singing I tend to borrow some useful vocal warm-ups from Roger Love's "Singing with the Stars",but most of them are modified or tailored versions of scale warm-ups. For structuring lessons I follow the structure of the book "Singing for Dummies" because I have found it to go through the modules of learning to sing in an order that makes a lot of sense and it is a good foundation to refer to. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For absolute beginners who are children, I will use a method book, such as the Hal Leonard Guitar Method. I help them through the book, supplementing with thier favorite songs and excercises that allow them to play along with ease. For older students, I have a discussion about what they would like to accomplish and set up a general plan. For every lesson, of all ages, I incorporate five categories: Scales, chords, arpeggios, repertoire, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Music Keyboard

"There's a difference between playing the notes and MAKING the MUSIC" Wanna know the secrets? I've played the piano since I was 7. Gosh....that's long ago. Sax since 4th grade. I've been performing and teaching private lessons for 35+ years. Many notables; The Temptations, Shirelles, Martha Reeves, Peter Noone ( Hermans Hermits ),Inauguration in 2005 for President Bush at Union station on CNN, many more. University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas with Dr. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My name is Marissa, and I am a dedicated and passionate musician and teacher! I play the viola and violin, and graduated this past spring of 2017 from Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. This fall I will continue my education at the University of Minnesota for my Masters of Music in Viola Performance. Over the course of my college career, I have had the opportunity to perform as principal endowed violist in the Luther College Symphony Orchestra across the United States, as well as a residency in Vienna, Austria playing in venues like the world famous Konzert Haus. Read More