Music Lessons in Shawnee Mission, KS

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My primary goal with students is to give them the tools and inspiration to enjoy music, and love playing their instruments. I have always placed a strong emphasis on the necessity of the foundations of music, but I try to do it in a way that is fun and palpable, and especially for young students. I have been fortunate enough to have lessons from excellent instructors, and I try to borrow my favorite methods from each of them. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My approach to coaching students is focused on 5 important areas; embouchure, tone quality, intonation (pitch), technique, and time. Memorization of key signatures and scales are very important to the student's overall success. I utilize a method for memorizing key signatures which will decrease the memorization time and increaseretention. The choice of music books and etude studies are based upon the student's level of playing and areas I identify needing improvement. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

For my methods, it depends on the age of the student and what their ability level is. For a young student, typically children, I would have to cover the fundamentals of music while applying it to piano or flute to help them learn the notes, clefs, time signatures, key signatures, etc. For my lesson plans, it changes from student to student as each student is different and has different needs they need to focus on to better their musical experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For piano students just starting out, I like Alfred’s basic piano library, and the Bastien piano basics. There are several other piano courses I’m excited to try as well. For both piano and voice students, I like to include a book of tunes with which the student is familiar: movie tunes, Disney songs, etc. For older students, I will focus a little more on the different time periods of music and help them to gain an appreciation for each. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I believe that an understanding of music theory and learning to read music is the foundation of success for both my piano and voice students which is why I typically require my voice students to be taking piano simultaneously with voice. For beginning piano students, I will typically begin with the James Bastien Primer/Level 1 Series with the focus split equally between theory and technique. I require students to fill out a practice log monthly to ensure that they are maintaining the knowledge and skills they learn in lessons and so that parents can be involved in their progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I love seeing students succeed and developing a love for music! Each student learns and progresses at different paces, so it is important to me to set realistic goals based on the individual. Encouraging and acknowledging their success is very essential to helping the student progress and desire to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I believe that private voice instructions demands a tailored and customized approach to each individual student and his or her voice. As such, much of my instruction is based on what I hear happening in the singer's voice that moment. However, I have many exercises and resources to aid in the lessons. The first few lessons may seem tedious, as I usually spend this time becoming familiar with my student and his or her voice. Read More