Music Lessons in Prior Lake, MN

Instruments: Violin

My first priority is creating a safe and fun environment where students can ask questions, and set goals that are realistic to their needs. We work together to find imagery and methods of practice that work for each individual student, and make weekly notes in a "lesson plan" notebook. By helping students identify and set their own goals and helping them identify their own understanding of the practice methods, I am encouraging critical thinking and practice discipline, which I find more efficient long-term than enforcing my own home-practice techniques and goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I started teaching voice in college and have taught piano in high school. For each I have about a little over year of experience. I want my students to use their musical skills as much as possible to give them motivation to practice and satisfaction in their newfound abilities. I feel that each piece and performance is an opportunity to branch out and try new things. Teaching is, for me, an opportunity to create positive change in others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

For beginners, I like to start with getting to know the keys and their patterns. There are 7 different white keys and 5 different black keys and once you figure out the pattern, it becomes easy to identify the keys on the piano. After that, I like to touch over basic music theory i.e. identifying sharps and flats, intervals, structures of scales, etc. I also like to teach my students how to read sheet music and flashcards (which I have) have helped a numerous amount of times with that. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I use a variety of books for teaching, and prefer to not use just one. It is essential for students to study scales and arpeggios, so a scale book, typically the Flesch Scale book is required. Other books I use are -Suzuki -Solos for Young Violinists/Violists -For Strings (Though I use Suzuki books, I do NOT teach the Suzuki method. I strong emphasize music reading literacy, and this requires the ability to understand by reading, and not by hearing alone). Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

I have experience teaching clarinet all ages and different levels (from the beginners to a more advanced). Through this I developed the ability to better understand the learning process for students who may or may not have much experience with music or have more or less developed music skills. Since myself I have been exposed to a few different cultures, I became more flexible with having more methods and approaches for teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

For beginning students, I typically start with the universal drum exercises every drummer should know, like the Ted Reed's book "syncopation" or the very classic "stick control". These exercises are mostly for warm ups, hand coordination, internalizing rhythm, and speed training. Depending on their musical background, I often like to introduce basic music theory concepts just so we are able to speak the same language. Once a foundation is set, I quickly move to what the student's interests are. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Over the years I have done everything from playing in the local "Battle of The Bands", opening for rocker Marshall Crenshaw with my band "Caf Society" and playing with jazz great Vincent York at The Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival. I have been teaching for over 20 years and really enjoy teaching and helping others, whether they want to play for their own enjoyment. Read More