Music Lessons in Minnetonka, MN

Instruments: Cello

For the beginner, I generally start with the Essential Elements books (at least Book 1) and switch to Suzuki Cello School books after that. For intermediate to advanced students, I teach from various technique books and progress to standard cello reperatoire, from works by Klengel, Lee and Popper to standard concertos and sonatas. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

As a teacher, I've learned so much from my colleagues and peers, but likely not as much as I've learned from my students. I've found that some teaching practices are outdated and I think I can bring a fresh and modern perspective to teaching music. I like to base my lessons around the student's natural curiosity and desire for learning music. Whether that be trying to play in the school band or wanting to learn a Led Zeppelin song, I believe that giving my students this ability to make their own decisions, helps them become more confident, motivated, and passionate about succeeding as a musician as well as in their own personal lives. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

My experiences teaching are fundamentally positive in nature. I know each student is different and unique in his or her way. I also teach lessons in German and/or English as needed. Setting a goal at the first lesson is important to me. I provide recitals twice a year for both strings and piano. For piano I offer a grand piano sent back from Vienna, refurbished and beautiful in tone. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For "pop-style" singing I tend to borrow some useful vocal warm-ups from Roger Love's "Singing with the Stars",but most of them are modified or tailored versions of scale warm-ups. For structuring lessons I follow the structure of the book "Singing for Dummies" because I have found it to go through the modules of learning to sing in an order that makes a lot of sense and it is a good foundation to refer to. Read More

Instruments: Voice Saxophone Clarinet

For students of all levels, I emphasize the fundamentals. No matter what style our focus is in, the development of scales, chord progressions, modes and technique patterns are universal. I incorporate solo literature early and often and work with the students to play the music that they listen to every day. We develop the students ear through weekly memorization of music the student enjoys on a daily basis. This allows us to branch into more advanced literature with a deeper understanding of what makes a style, a style. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Accordion Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I use generally use Faber and Faber for piano and the Yamaha method for guitar. However, each student learns differently therefore I like to meet and assess the needs before choosing a course to follow. For band students, I use the school's chosen method of instruction supplementing with theory, technique and performance pieces. For piano students, I get to know each student's taste in music and choose accordingly. I encourage my voice students to learn a varied repertoire of classical, folk songs, Broadway and pop if they desire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Piccolo

For beginning students, I generally start with the Accent on Achievment book series and spend the first few lessons assessing and addressing the important fundamentals of the students' particular instrument. After working out of the book for an apropriate amount of time, I introduce solo repertiore from both pop and classical genres. I want my students to learn, but I want them to have fun and enjoy what they are learning. Read More