Music Lessons in Madison, WI

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Electric Violin Double Bass Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

My teaching style is very involved and incorporates playing for the student, playing with the student, and having the student play on their own. Creating a safe environment where the student is comfortable making mistakes is vital, because making mistakes is a vital component to learning how to play an instrument. I take each student at their own pace and cultivate growth through technical mechanics of the instrument as well as philosophical ideals about what it means to be a musician. Read More

Instruments: Violin

That is why I encourage a sense of play in playing the violin, as in the immediate relationship to one's sound, one is thinking of the whole, while they might be focusing on one part or another. This preserves the natural dependence of each part on the rest, and gives the students an everchanging sense of the whole which is essential to learning and, to me, is one of the greatest pleasures of learning the violin, as well as one of the most useful skills in life at large beyond making music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Modern vocal pedagogy informs my teaching methods. By finding balance in air flow, phonation and resonance, the development of the voice is promoted in a healthy manner. Once this balance is consistent, a singer is capable of communicating more clearly and effectively. I encourage students to delve into a variety of genres, languages, characters, and challenges. I cater to each student's expectations in taking lessons, as well as their individual technical, musical, and performing needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have different methods for piano and voice: depending on the level of the piano student, I will use Faber method books and supplement performance pieces, technique lessons, games, theory discussions, etc. I do not use method books with voice students, although I do have a curriculum that I follow and adjust depending on the level and age of the voice student. I believe that while beginning and intermediate students continue to learn, it is important for them to practice different genres on their instrument -- this allows them to speak different musical languages, improves their understanding of style, and gives them a better context for their own gifts and interests. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I really enjoy seeing my students develop a passion and a love for the music and instrument they are learning! This is so beyond rewarding for a teacher. I believe it is important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I want the goals that I set out and the student sets out to be realistic, and we will work to achieve those goals they have set out for themselves. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I like to start beginning students with a combination of sheet music and by rote teaching. If a student comes to me with method books or other materials, we will start with those and I will suggest other materials as appropriate. I often have more advanced students work through various scales books and Rose etudes, and whatever other type of music interests them. I utilize duets often in lessons to work on sight reading and blend, tuning, and leadership. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle

I first began teaching while at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This was the first time I learned that a student can make remarkable progress at an instrument, given the right encouragement and direction. Since moving to Madison, I have begun teaching at Heid Music, and have been gradually growing a studio on the three instruments I teach. The problem with this studio, however, is that studio availability is somewhat limited, and so it has become more practical to turn online to find more students. Read More