Music Lessons in Posen, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

I can remember the first time I heard the music of John Coltrane. I was thirteen and had just begun learning saxophone. His music was deeply moving and inspired me to pursue a life of music - specifically jazz saxophone. Best decision I've ever made! I graduated from Western Michigan University with a BM in Jazz Saxophone Performance. While in school I had the privilege of sharing the stage with many jazz greats including Bobby McFerrin, Randy Brecker, Stefon Harris, Fred Hersch, and many more. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

Almost immediately after starting to play music, I began teaching my friends and family members how to play. I became the guitar teacher at my high school, teaching beginning guitar students for the last semester of my senior year. Then, when I went to college, I continued teaching friends and starting picking up students who I did not know at all for the first time. These experiences taught me how to deal with all age levels, and different styles of student learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For most of my beginner students, I start with Alfred's Basic Method Book series (The only exception is Ukulele; I use the Hal Leonard's Ukulele Method Book). Beyond that, I work with each student to decide on songs and techniques that they would like to learn. I also make time in each lesson to introduce students to new music that showcases their instrument. As students progress, students will bring in their own examples for us to discuss together. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I tailor each lesson to help each student reach his/her own unique goals. I teach all genres, but tend to focus on fundamental musicianship skills. That way, each student develops a solid foundation that can be applied to any musical situation. Right from the start, the primary goal of lessons is play music and have a good time doing it! I structure my lessons as such; lesson plans are customized for each students so that he/she is able to reach his/her goals in the most fun and efficient manner possible. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginning students I would focus on their posture and breathing. It's easy to start with bad posture and breathing when you are just starting out and if kept, it will be incredibly hard to get into having good posture and breathing techniques. Then we would focus on exercises that their band teacher or I gave out, and we would work on scales. For more advanced players I would start to use excerpts from the Arbons book. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For individual study, I use a number of diverse methods, depending on the needs and goals of the student. Beginner students will start with the Hal Leonard Beginner series, focused on mastering the fundamentals. Once a students has mastered the foundational technical scales, arpeggios, articulation; and understanding of time and tempo, we can proceed to augmenting the classical studies with jazz studies. For more intermediate - advanced students, we continue with the Hal Leonard series and augment with the Paul DeVille Universal Method for Saxophone, Klose 25 Daily Exercises, Voxman Selected Studies Books, and transcriptions of Bach (Cello Suites) and Taffanel (Flute Studies). Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I have experience teaching peers different trumpet, piano and jazz techniques. I pride myself on my hard work in music. Whenever my colleagues ask me for assistance I always recommend being consistent. A lot of students lose interest in practicing and performing music; I want to be someone that encourages students to stick with it. The key to retaining young students these days is being creative in the way music is being taught. Read More