Music Lessons in Itasca, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

For beginning students, I like to start them off with the Essential Elements for band method books. Once they progress with those books and grasp the fundamentals, I would introduce to solo literature. For adults, I find out what they are interested in and work my way from there. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Director, String Ensemble, Guerin Prep HS, River Grove, ILPrivate Violin/viola Instructor, Kagain Gaines Music Company, Forest Park, ILPrivate Violin Instructor, Morton Junior College, Cicero, ILPrivate Violin Instructor, Wheeling HS, Wheeling, ILPrivate Violin/viola Instructor, Holmes Junior High, Wheeling, ILOwner, True Note Music, Lisle, ILAdjucator, IHSA District ContestAdjucator, IMEA District ContestAdjucator, Solo Ensemble Contest, District 5Sectional Instructor, Schaumburg Youth Orchestra, Schaumburg, IL Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Ukulele Recorder Music Keyboard

When creating lesson plans for classes or for individual lessons, I customize and design the lessons to fit the needs of the students. I always interview the students and set goals to know where they want to go so that all of our work is geared towards there individual success and improvement. I utilize various methods books depending on the students abilities. I also heavily utilize the Kodaly method and the Orff Method when teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching approach focuses primarily on tone production - I think this is the most important fundament to teach young students. I like to use the Hal Leonard Essential Elements or equivalent beginner book (Hovey, Rubank for clarinet) to start the student off, but as they become more advanced, it's important to introduce repertoire to them. I allow the student some individuality here - what kind of music would they like to play? Read More

Instruments: Flute

I will begin by asking a student what their goals are when it comes to playing the flute. I will base my teaching material and instructions methods off of this consultation and tune specifically to each student. If a student comes in knowing nothing, I will start with the very basics of the instrument (instrument set up and care, sound production, fingerings etc.). once they have the building blocks, I can them begin teaching them the specifics of whatever genre they want to focus on, be it classical, jazz, soul, hip hop etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing the drums for 16 years and the guitar for 18 years. I started by learning how to play rock beats and songs independetly and eventually started taking lessons from drummer, Martin Dosh of Andrew Bird's live band. Martin, a jazz and hip-hop drummer from Minneapolis taught me how isolation techniques and jazz/swing exercises derived from Hal Leonard's methods book. Since College, I have been playing in local and touring bands as well as teaching out of my studio space in Ukrainian Village, Chicago. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I have teaching experience in several areas of music. In addition to directing middle school and high school bands in the public school setting, I have also taught music appreciation (both middle and high school level), kindergarten music, and philosophy courses to college undergrads. No matter the setting, I have always enjoyed developing a strong relationship with my students. I am always interested in exposing students to new music and ideas and to help them grow into reflective and detail-oriented musicians. Read More