Music Lessons in Mercer Island, WA

Instruments: Voice

I am interested in the individual growth of my students. I encourage exploration and learning through experiences, and if my students leave my classes with a little more knowledge and a great deal more wonder, I consider it a success. I like to follow my students down the tracks they are interested in and then choose to broaden the path once we are there. From this place I have written a 12 page chart featuring a Justin Bieber tune, written a Britney Spears song into Swing, put a Miranda Lambert song in five, and arranged an original by The Script in a Latin feel. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My lessons are well structured and prepared. We'll have a weekly lesson planner that outlines and monitors the practices and explains the focus for the week. Planning is not opposed to spontaneously having fun which is a core part of playing music. Planning helps you have fun as you enjoy your success and see how you improve.-Lessons always have a huge hands-on part: We play songs together, jam over chord changes or try to play a melody by ear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar

Every student learns at their own pace, and in their own way. Discovering what type of learner your student is (kinesthetic, auditive, visual), is essential in providing examples and assignments for the student to work on. I do believe that with encouragement and patience, anyone can learn the noble art that is the language of music, you just have to find and fuel the student's interests, make that flame grow into a passion, and then lead with the example, 99% of the time the student will follow, the other 1% of the time you just need to get creative :) Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce a solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in depending on the ability level. I would also start with books for adult beginners if needed. My goal as a teacher is to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I started driving to my students' homes, and that was when I finally fell in love with teaching! That was in 2008, and since then, my teaching has grown and changed so very much, using different method books, teaching at 2 different studio locations, until finally settling in to teach out of my home and with my current method. I especially love teaching the brand new beginner, but I have also had students go on to win college scholarships, and even play beside me in the symphony orchestra! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

I teach the Faber and Faber method on piano, incorporated with a by ear curriculum that I've developed which also teaching music theory, I also keep a number of books i.e. Beatles Fake Book, Introduction to Bach, Well-Tempered Klavier, Hanon, Berklee Method in Rock and Jazz. I also encourage the student to play what they desire to play, be it a pop song or a classical masterpiece. In drum set I work on technique, playing with flow, rhythm training, and coordination, often supplementing the lesson with recordings and learning from the sound of recorded drummers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For beginning to students I like to have them learn their notes on the bass guitar first and foremost. Once we have become familiar with the neck of the bass we introduce Hal Leonards's Bass Method Book 1. This will build our foundation for learning to read time signatures, notes in bass clef, rhythms, as well as playing complete songs. For intermediate bass students I like to gauge the level and tailor a program for that individual. Read More