Music Lessons in Poletown, MI

Instruments: Voice

My method varies with each student. I listen to the students needs and use my expertise to help them achieve their goals. For younger students, I use a variety of material but very much like The Royal Conservatory Program. In the age of, "American Idol", "The Voice" and "Glee", everyone wants to be a star overnight. While this enthusiasm is wonderful, it is sometimes difficult to direct students to material that suits their voice and will build their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I choose music that will help students in many different areas. Students need some music that will help them work on fundamentals: long tones, slurs, articulations, and scales. Students also need to play music they enjoy. All of my students, in addition to the fundamentals of good playing, bring in music that is enjoyable to play and that they like. It is a good balance when practicing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginner students I start with the basic for both piano and voice. For voice we start with breathing, pitch, and starting a healthy techinque and proper places to sing from. For piano I follow the Alfred's serious and begin with music theory as well. Once my students advance we begin with new solo repertoire and more advance theory and sight reading. The more advance the student become the more intense and difficult the material will become. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Most of my teaching involves two things: Technique and Genuineness. You cannot have one without the other and even when I am teaching proper technique I work to make sure the student is being their most natural self, physically, mentally and musically. I don't believe in copying a great singer or musician, but the student finding their best self and voice from being as free of a singer as possible. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have three main books I use; these are my drum 'bibles'. Progressive Steps to Syncopation by Ted Reed, Stick Control for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence, and Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin. I like to teach fundamentals first, providing a strong basis with which to expand your repetoire. Then I like to emphasize song work. The best part of drumming in my opinion is playing with other instruments, and in addition to playing with recorded music, I encourage my students to find other musicians to practice and even perform with. Read More