Music Lessons in Skokie, IL

Instruments: Piano Organ

Organ concerts at the Washington National Cathedral, Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University, Alexander Arts Center, Concord University, churches throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois. Private teaching in piano with Ascendo Piano, Fort Wayne, Indiana from 2003-2006 and Fun with Piano, Western Springs, IL starting in 2011 and Musika Piano also beginning in 2011. For the last five years, I was an instructor in piano at Naperville Music teaching classical, jazz, popular, ragtime, christian, and contemporary. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

How I teach is heavily influenced by my wish to hopefully one day pass on the same love and passion I have for music. The purpose of our lessons will be to find which ways of practicing work best for you and help you improve as efficiently as possible. I will focus on making you the best musician and individual you can be. I try to be as flexible as possible with my students. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

The point of music is to have fun creating art, sharing that gift, all while learning a skill that not many others are able to learn, but here are so many other benefits from what you learn that can be utilized for the rest of your life. These lessons include, but are not limited to discipline, work ethic, focus, problem solving, compassion, historical knowledge, and countless others. I am aware that not every person I teach will continue playing music for the rest of their lives, but if I can instill some of those above stated principles into my students, then that is a success in my book. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I have been teaching saxophone and clarinet since a student at the University of Wisconsin from 1984 - 1989, where I was an instructor with the School of Music Institute at UW-Madison. Through the Institute, I had the opportunity to teach students from the Madison WI area ranging in age from elementary through high school. I have also been a sectional instructor at the UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic for both jazz and classical saxophone sections. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For Vocalists, the very foundation of proper singing will be taught: Posture, Breath Management, Muscle/Core Control, and Vowel Placement. These are the basics of good singing, in any genre.  I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.  But don't worry! I wont get overtly technical. I manage to teach the basics without you trying to multitask 100 different muscle groups while singing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

I teach both by rote and by reading. When it comes to music theory, notation and reading music, I am also methodical in wanting my students to fully understand what they're reading so that it becomes so natural to them, it's as natural as reading a newspaper or understanding a conversation. Once the foundation is laid, a musical conversation can be had with the sound of their instrument. At the end of the process, students will find their love of music enhanced now that they know what they are doing and are doing it on purpose. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga

As a professional musician myself, I am constantly working with new people and within new musical territories. Because of this openess to collaboration, I have garnered extensive performance experience, sharing the stage with acts ranging from Califone to Grizzly Bear, as well as with improvising musicians the likes of Anton Hatwich, Eli Namay, John McCowen, and Keefe Jackson. I possess a large rhythmic vocabulary from a variety of related and disparate traditions. Read More