Music Lessons in O Fallon, MO

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Classical Guitar

Each lesson starts with technical exercises, follwed by repertoire. Each student does theory during the lesson with twenty questions at the end. During this time, I do all review theory material. Difficult passages are marked with a "P" chart. They have to play the difficult part four times and get a "P" for each perfect playing. Every fifth time they have to repeat from the beginning to integrate the difficult part with the rest of the song. Read More

Instruments: Piano

From upper elementary on, musicology is added. For a student that plans to keep learning, musicology is the history and the composer's impetus for composing the way he does. Why did Chopin compose so differently from Schumann, and what does the student need to learn to play each composer as he intended? It's very interesting, and separates my students from others that are playing just notes. They may be playing with feeling, but whose feeling? Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

My teaching experience goes back to college when I would help out non-piano playing music students for their piano class. (Yes, if you go to school for music, you have to learn some piano, no matter what!). I've also taught students as young as 7, and I was a piano and band instructor at Columbia College Chicago's Blues Camp, which is for students ages 6-18. I was also a keyboard instructor at School Of Rock before having to leave due to touring with Nick Moss. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider a number of variables when determining what and how to teach guitar to a student. First, I have to know what kind of music the student enjoys. Next, I need to know what level guitar player they are. If Im teaching a beginning guitarist, I will typically spend a majority of the lesson utilizing fun methods to build basic technique. If a student doesnt have a technical foundation, it may not benefit them to present them with music theory in the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Bass Guitar

My teaching style may vary depending upon the student. I have several books and other teaching material available for my students. These include: Berkley Music Theory I and II, several Hal Leonard, and Fischer books and more! Lesson material will mostly depend upon the student's goals and current skill-set. EVERY lesson will consist of: assessing and tracking the student's skill-set, solidifying the student's goals along with my goals for the student, and creating a plan of action to follow in order to reach these goals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

All music can be broken down into three categories: melody, harmony and rhythm. I tend to explore everything we do by observing how the given material utilizes one of these three elements (with rhythm being chief!). I love to instill the ideals that I have learned from my mentors into my own students. All guitar students are taught to think as musicians and not just as guitar players. I often think back on some of Miles Davis's famous words, "If it sounds right, it is right!". Read More

Instruments: Voice

As every voice is unique, it is important to me that the lessons I give are personalized for each student. It is always my goal to unlock the singer's true, natural voice, so that they can create their own personal sound. I use a functional bel canto method that focuses on a natural expression of the voice and an active breath and resonance. This ensures a healthy sound production, avoiding undue pressure on the vocal folds. Read More