Music Lessons in Oak Park, IL

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

My name is Kevin. I am a professional trombonist and teacher based in the Chicagoland area. I hold degrees in music performance from the Eastman School of Music (BM, 12) and the Yale School of Music (MM, 14). I have been performing and teaching around the world for nearly 15 years. I have played professionally with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, S.O.N.G Symphony Orchestra (Seoul, Korea), Sarajevo Philharmonic (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina), Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and National Repertory Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My methods are executed with one core value in mind: create a life long learner and lover of music. This means I establish the fundamentals of theory with beginning students and reinforce them with intermediate students. Before an instrument is played, the concepts of rhythm, note value, and scales must be approached in an engaging way. With collaboration over curriculum, I would work with the student to find his/her interests and inspiration, making the journey worthwhile and fun! Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I will typically use the first lesson as an initial assessment of the student's personality and his/her skills. I ask the student what they would like to learn with the understanding that I will provide some of my own technical and theoretical knowledge. I like to create general lesson plans before each meeting so that I have some kind of outline to follow. I try to adhere to the student's progress timeline with the understanding that they need to be pushed a little out of their comfort zone if they want to see improvements. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

Methods heavily depend on student. Everyone learns differently. I typically provide anything you may need, or can point you to libraries/databases. I heavily focus on tone and fundamentals, so applying it to the music comes seamlessly. For tone, I like both Phillip Bernold books, on embouchure and sound. Sonorite by Moyse as well. Graf can be catered to beginner to advanced students Articulation I enjoy of course Taffanel and Gaubert for all ages, Reichert for more advanced students. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For me, the most important thing is that the student and I have fun together. If the student is not having fun, I am also not having fun. It does not matter the age of the student, if anyone in general sees a lesson as a chore, it is doomed to fail. So, my main focus is that I am able to cater my lessons to the interests of the student, making sure that they are engaged and entertained the whole time. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

The most important aspect of teaching music is to keep the student excited and engaged! I want my students to be eager to learn. I keep all lessons fun and casual, but stress the importance of hard work. I always encourage daily practice sessions, even if just for 15 - 20 minutes. Repetition is key! I discuss our goals for the lessons (what do you want to get out of the lesson? why do you want to learn saxophone?) and strive to meet our goals. Read More