Music Lessons in Itasca, IL

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

for the beginner student, we will start off by going through things such as scales, arpeggios, and exercises to build a solid foundation. While doing this, I will have the student pick a song they like, whether it be pop, country, jazz, classical, and begin to learn it by ear to begin to develop solid aural recognition. Once the fundamentals are solid, we will move on to either working on a sonata or concerto or a transcription and a tune (depending on if you are a jazz student or classical). Read More

Instruments: Violin

For my beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and sometimes Lee W. Kikuchi's Musicianship for Strings. Scales and arpeggios follow shortly after. As the student progresses, I follow up with Harvey S. Whistler's Introducing the Positions (this book can also work with adults). Etude books such as Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer come into play when the student is ready. As far as repertiore, I use the first few Suzuki books and Barber's "Soloists for Young Violinists" for my younger students (the latter can also work with adults). Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

I have been teaching part-time for the last nine years. My passion for teaching comes from the amazing tutelage that I received as a young musician. The mentors that I was lucky enough to have taught me that music lessons are not only for acquiring the skills to learn an instrument. Music teaches discipline, work ethic, focus, problem solving, compassion, history, you name it. I have the skills and know how to teach an instrument and music, but I believe in the philosophy that music can teach us so much more as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Electric Guitar Djembe

The approach, overall, is to drive toward the student's goal. When someone wants to learn how to play an instrument well enough to play in a band or orchestra, I usually consider two needs - playing music and interpreting written music. These are basic parts of education, literally easy to define by achieving pages in etude books. In addition, though, there is a third component to meeting the set goal: writing music - a sensibility that you can create. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Hi! My name is Martina and I am a classically trained violist. In May of 2013 I received a Master of Music from Roosevelt University, where I studied with Lawrence Neuman of the Chicago Symphony. I received an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin with Sally Chisholm of the Pro Arte quartet. The only thing I love more than playing viola is sharing the joy of music with others! I've received training on violin and viola and can't wait to start teaching you or your child. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I also strongly believe in the power of performance and having the opportunity to share what you learn and enjoy with others, so depending on the age I always strongly encourage finding performance opportunities of any kind, playing/practicing with friends, studying abroad, etc. However, as I said, every student is different, so these approaches have to be flexible in order to successfully accommodate my instruction to each individual student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I have taught privately on and off for the past 5 years. I generally encourage students to practice consistently and efficiently to achieve the results they desire. Being a multi-instrumental musicians has given me the advantage to use the different disciplines to teach in different methods, instructional languages, and pieces in order to reach the students. This has given me a versatile teaching style that generally allows me to associate well with my students. Read More