Music Lessons in Portage, WI

Instruments: Violin

I have played the violin for eleven years, and have a Bachelor's degree in philosophy. I studied biochemistry until taking a semester to study violin with Barbara Gorzynska in Vienna, after which I found an interest in the processes of learning and authentic relationships to one's activity. This time abroad was certainly a large influence on my teaching style, as I learned a great deal about the violin for one, but moreso was my education in philosophy. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Hi, I'm Alex! I'm a passionate vocal technician and coach who is ready to help you unlock the full potential of your unique voice. I've been singing my whole life and I've wanted to be a teacher my whole life! I have been teaching full time for five years after getting my masters degree form Carnegie Mellon University. As a performer, I was a member of the Grammy®-award winning Houston Chamber Choir, and have performed on stages around the country and the world. Read More

Instruments: Piano Djembe

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching privately in 2009, and have been consistently teaching students inside and on-line from my home studio for the last 7 years. Committing to consistent practice as your schedule allows is one of the key points I emphasize for all students regardless of age, as only the consistency will help you progress, after all music is a language. My approach has always evolved and adapted as I learn new concepts and techniques, however I would summarize my approach to teaching piano as focusing on rhythmic development, playing-by ear with music reading supports and adding the perspective that the piano is a percussion instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For younger students, I tend to make learning the guitar more enjoyable and fun. Since younger kids need motivation, I prefer to let them play with accompaniment in order to make the lesson and their playing more enjoyable. For more advanced students, I believe that introducing them to variety of music styles is essential to build their musical personality and let them decide what style they want to learn. Finally, I encourage my students to perform in public, so they can build their confidence and realize the great outcome of their hard work. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

As a member of an indie rock band, I understand the importance of being able to play songs on your instrument as quickly as possible! With this in mind, my lesson plan focuses primarily on breaking down songs that we want to learn how to play into their fundamental parts; the chords, the grooves, the fills, what-have-you, until we can put it all together. If there's a song that's particularly difficult and requires sound fundamentals, then we'll pound out those skills until we can get the results we want. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute

Ill have flute/guitar students learn current hits that they love and use them to teach improvisation. It all depends on the student. I teach songwriting. To that end, I may have the student come up with a hook, write a poem, or even an idea for a song about something that is meaningful to them. I help them form the melody, chord structures and song structures. Sometimes, its possible to record what the student has come up with. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle

I studied violin and viola while playing with a country band (picked up mandolin along the way,) and, in the last year, sought out jazz studies under Lawrence Gray to get a feel for basic jazz improvisation. I value the original music of individuals I run into in the local music scene here just as much as the somewhat antiquated music of classical composers, and, with a combination of these, I play out roughly three or four times a week and strive to always give the best performance I possibly can. Read More