Music Lessons in Ladue, MO

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the students, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

For intermediate and advanced students, I like to figure out what kind of popular music (rock, blues, jazz, pop) that they would like to play and learn more about, and then learn repetoire or basic techniques in that particular genre. Again, I specialize mainly in popular styles, and am not much of a classical player. My hope is to give intermediate and advanced classically trained students a good foundation in popular styles, and once the foundation is there, start working on repetoire. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar

I have found my way through music primarily as an instrumentalist, though I have enjoyed being able to stretch my talents into both teaching and writing. While studying Jazz at the University of Central Missouri, I was able to pick up a wide range of experiences with concert and classical playing. I had the opportunities to perform multiple times with various musicals on campus as well, on a small range of instruments. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

All music can be broken down into three categories: melody, harmony and rhythm. I tend to explore everything we do by observing how the given material utilizes one of these three elements (with rhythm being chief!). I love to instill the ideals that I have learned from my mentors into my own students. All guitar students are taught to think as musicians and not just as guitar players. I often think back on some of Miles Davis's famous words, "If it sounds right, it is right!". Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider a number of variables when determining what and how to teach guitar to a student. First, I have to know what kind of music the student enjoys. Next, I need to know what level guitar player they are. If Im teaching a beginning guitarist, I will typically spend a majority of the lesson utilizing fun methods to build basic technique. If a student doesnt have a technical foundation, it may not benefit them to present them with music theory in the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I've has taught as the clarinet instructor for the Edwardsville Summer Band Camp in Edwardsville, Illinois and been on the judging panel for clarinet auditions for the St. Louis All-Suburban Honor Band in Missouri. I've also held an administrative internship with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. I believe in the importance and necessity of diversifying one's skillset on and off the clarinet in order to thrive as a musician today. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Looking back over my professional career -- which includes several public relations, marketing and advertising positions -- my favorite and most rewarding activities have centered around music. Whenever possible, I use my own method, which includespromoting spatial relationships and patterns. Although composition is not my specialty, I certainly can do the basics and then point them to a more accomplished musician. Read More