Music Lessons in North Barrington, IL

Instruments: Piano

I believe students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique, followed by artistic expression. My teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. To progress, students must practice daily. I let my students know that quality and focus of practice is far more important than duration. They learn to isolate 2 or 3 measures, and repeat them slowly until accuaracy is achieved consistently. I convey my love of teaching by: complimenting students on achieving goals, smiling, being energetic, making sure the student lets me know when he/she does not understand a concept and re-explaing it until it is understood with gentleness and patience, bringing in adjunct music from which the student, after hearing me play several excerpts, can select several pieces, playing duets with the student, and encouraging students to compose their own songs by ear, which I later notate. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching bass in high school to elementary and middle school students. In college, as my knowledge of music theory expanded, I began teaching guitar and voice as well. Students need not be able to read music to study with me, although if we begin a professional relationship, know that I use much theory and classical techniques in all styles of playing on both guitar and bass. I'm currently teach jazz music the most, but I have found that covering more styles as a teacher reminds me of how connected the world of music really is and I'd love to get back into teaching rock, classical, funk and other styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I started teaching towards the end of high school and continued in college and beyond! I found it beneficial to be teaching students while still being a student myself. Having great teachers in my life has shaped my own approach to teaching. I discovered that when I was able to study what I was truly excited about, my capacity to learn and improve my craft increased exponentially! To that end, I encourage students to bring in original material as well as "covers" that they are interested in to build a repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Music Keyboard

It is important to have a broadened perspective of what it means to be a well rounded musician while having concentrated study in a specific genre or idiom. In my lessons, I strive to cover the major elements required to be a successful trombonist or musician in not only the jazz idiom, but the general music industry as a whole. These subjects include: sight reading, music theory, aural training, music listening, improvisation, composition, arranging, basic music notation, basic music recording techniques, historical and cultural contextualization, music entrepreneurship, and performance edict. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I have been teaching throughout my career as a saxophonist and got my first student in 2007. My students find the best results if they love their instrument and have their own motivation to improve. My role is not only instructing someone to better play saxophone, but being an encouraging and positive force in a student's life. I've seen that when a student gains confidence and discipline, their learning curve typically skyrockets.I know I've done well when my student feels themselves improving and gets excited about meeting their full potential.There are countless styles and sounds in music, and I build a foundation on that equips students to seek out their own musical path. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I ultimately hope that I can instill my students with a passion for music while ensuring they have fun! I stress the importance of regular practice in order for students to make weekly progress, and ultimately desire to help them develop their playing technique and theoretical knowledge while making room for them to explore their personal interests and enjoy playing their instrument. Since I have a broad array of musical interests, I am accordingly open to incorporating different aspects of musical study such as writing and recording into lessons as students progress, as I find the act of creating something of one's own to be an incredibly valuable part of making music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a graduate of Northwestern's Bienen School of Music and have been playing and performing music since childhood. I hold two degrees, one in Music Performance for Classical Guitar, and the other in Cognitive Science; both affect my teaching method--in different ways, of course! I think one of the most important things when starting out as a musician is to have the intent and drive to practice (encouragement counts for quite a bit too!). Read More