Music Lessons in Rochester, MI

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Fiddle Music Keyboard

I am an accomplished music educator and composer skilled in and enthusiastic about teaching music students of all ages. I have a Bachelor's degree in cello performance from Utah State University, where I studied with Anne Francis Bayless of the world-renowned Fry Street Quartet. I also have a Master's degree in composition from Arizona State University, and am currently working toward my Doctorate in composition at the University of Michigan. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

Seeing my students succeed is one of the most gratifying things for me. Success in students can be measured in so many ways, and each individual will have different goals. My job is to match my students where they are at, and try to bring them to the next level. Working with individual students, I like to get the opinion of the student as to what they believe they want to work on, and use that an overlying theme for what we work on, as well as what I recommend. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums

On every instrument that I teach I place great importance on fundamentals, especially developing a deep sense of rhythm. Whether a novice student is learning basic concepts for the first time or an advanced student is maintaining their musical foundation, a short routine of very simple warmups is essential and is also a beautiful way to connect to the instrument every time we sit down to it.For young beginners on piano and guitar I start with the Faber Piano Adventure series and the FJH Young Beginners series - for young drum students I use Alfred's beginners drum set book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer

For beginning students, I start with the traditional Mel Bay (or comparable) beginner books that focus on the fundamentals while building strength and coordination and just build from there.  For students with a little more experience, I like to focus on more challenging exercises and concepts while nurturing their knowledge of music theory and performance.  Each student is different and knowing what motivates them motivates me.  My goal is to have them want to pick up their instrument and play. Read More

Instruments: Voice Bass Guitar Double Bass

I hated school when I was younger. I will never let my lessons feel like school. We work at each individual students pace. Once warm-ups and whatever key technique we are talking about that day are covered the lesson turns more into an educationally structured band practice. My students know they can let go and just sing. If something needs to be worked on, we work on it, and I will give notes and how to fix things throughout. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is very process oriented. Goals are set, but are the natural outgrowth of well developed plans and consistent effort. I strive to inspire my students with the passion for playing and the act of making music, rather than the goals of perfection or winning a competition. Personally, music has always been a way for me to understand and enrich my life in more meaningful ways than I ever could have imagined. Read More