Music Lessons in Leawood, KS

Instruments: Piano

For beginners of all ages, I typically start with the fundamentals of music theory. For children, once they have grasped this, I will introduce solo repertoire and sight reading appropriate for their skill level. For adults, I try to find out what they are interested in and instruct accordingly. I like to keep practice fun and engaging for all ages and ability levels. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I will give my student a scale, and Etude and a piece from violin repertoire. My essential teaching style is based on the Galamians Principles of Violin Playing Teaching. I believe that starting with fundamentals of violin techniques, left hand and right hand techniques is essential. After mastering the fundamentals, students are able to grow into their own musicalityand find a connection between the techniques and interpretation, where I would teach the importance of musical phrasing and understanding the structure of a piece of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I don't believe in a one size fits all mentality for music education, I've often seen this approach derail students from enjoying the process and eventually terminating their relationship with music overall. Students are a case-by-case basis, and in that regard, each lesson is catered to the students actual goals and interests. I believe in training our ears and our sense of rhythm to a point where the student can figure things out and make artistic decisions on their own and use lessons, less as a tutorial, but as a source of inspiration to pursue the things that brought them here in the first place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer

I have been fortunate to study under some remarkable professors as well as musicians. There are three individuals in particular that I will never forget. They changed my life. Their determination, work ethic, pure genius and passion for what they do will always stick with me. They raised my bar as a musician and set the bar for my teaching. As a teacher I strive to leave the same imprint on others that they left on me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Playing rhythm guitar and lead guitar, improvising solos, using a capo, playing in different keys, how to play with more than one guitar player in a band, finding your space in an ensemble and many more practical things you will encounter as a guitar player I will also teach along the way. Ask questions. For electric guitar players, I will teach you how to use your amp and the concept of how to use your pedals, different types of electric guitar playing styles, how the electric guitar fits in with different types of ensembles, who is the coolest person in the room, and many other electric guitar specific topics will be discussed as we learn from the same material our acoustic brothers and sisters are studying. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Karla received her Music Educators license in Instrumental Music from William Jewell College in 2005. Instrumental Conducting, Secondary Music Methods, Instrumental Techniques, and Educational Psychology were some of the courses that prepared her to become a more knowledgeable teacher. She started private teaching violin and viola lessons in 2002 at REW Band and Orchestra. From there she went to Northland Cathedral School of music in 2006 before starting her own studio in 2010.   Currently, Karla plays 4th chair viola with the St. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I always start by asking the student if he/she has any goals or upcoming performances they'd like to concentrate on.  If so, we focus mainly on that goal, while also incorporating vocal exercises and other methods to continually improve the voice.  Otherwise, we will start with mainly vocal exercises (which will grow in difficulty as we master the easier ones), and after a few weeks, start applying what we've learned in the exercises to some songs (usually folk songs, art songs, Broadway, occasionally some opera). Read More