Music Lessons in Ruskin, FL

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder

My approach to teaching is one that engages students and encourages them to learn to the best of their abilities.  I always consider the needs of my students and their wishes for their own musical development.  Therefore, selecting repertoire and lesson goals is a joint venture between my students and myself.   I gain encouragement when students voice their opinion and develop a sense of musical style that is unique to them; my students are motivated and learn to express themselves musically and together, we take great satisfaction in their successes at Festivals, competitions and examinations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

My main goal in teaching music is to build a good foundation. Not all music students will go on to major in music, and that's OK. Music offers invaluable experiences for everybody involved, and I have seen music change lives. There is a lot of evidence that music helps in school performance and test taking, and there is evidence that music helps to build organizational and critical thinking skills. I like to build a positive relationship with my students, and I encourage progress in order to make students eager to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have been teaching piano lessons for five years, while at college and since I have graduated.  I like to keep things interesting for the student by devoting portions of the lesson times to different activities, which include technique and theory along with their regular lesson pieces.  I also use incentives to increase their practice times between lessons, which, in turn, increases their sense of accomplishment! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Harmonica Ukulele Mandolin Acoustic Guitar

I introduce double stop positioning, bar positions, forms for 12 bar and 1-4-5- chord patterns in different styles of music (this can range from Beethoven to Jimi Hendrix). I then move to introducing songs than have the same core chords, but in different sequences, so students can see broader applications. I also have an favorite tool of mine that especially helps with theory -- a wheel that has the circle of 5ths carved into it, with patterns and relations between the keys carved into an inner wheel on it as well. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

When teaching strings to beginners I tend to teach out of a string methods book but I also offer stylistic direction outside of the book. I find this method helps the student with dependency of string books and helps to harbor curiosity to the vast world of music and methods beyond one book. I offer compositions fit to the level of the student and give them the opportunity to bring them up to performance standard. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

It is extremely important that lessons are relaxed and fun. The student needs to work in a supportive and safe environment which encourages risk-taking and exploration. Praise and positive reinforcement are essential. I like students to explore their creative sides through composition and improvisation. I introduce chords and harmony and have students develop their own arrangements of pieces studied, This gives them a sense of empowerment and discovery. Students develop positive self-images and this makes the lesson process all that more enjoyable. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Harmonica Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

At Five years old, I began learning the piano. I learned to read music and play reasonably well. Then, baseball came along. As I entered high school, I learned the guitar, starting with a Silvertone guitar with the small accompanying amplifier. I had sung in the church choir, so my Boy Scout friends then became my band mates during the 60's In the 70's, I went on the road with a talented rock band opening for large acts including the Allman Brothers Band and The Who. Read More