Music Lessons in Stone Park, IL

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

Every student comes at a different level, no matter what age they are. For younger students who are just beginning, I feel like it is my job to first and foremost get them excited about playing the drums. I find it to be difficult to teach anything if the student dimply does not want to be there because they do not have a good relationship with the instrument. Once I feel the student is excited and ready, I usually introduce the "Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer." This book is important for building skills in reading music, ear training, and general funky rhythms! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I'm a recent Berklee College of Music graduate who loves to perform and to share everything I know with my students. I was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and have recently moved to Chicago after being previously based out of Boston and Cincinnati. My performing experience has taken me all over the United States, as well as trips to China, Italy, Austria, and Germany. Despite my traditional jazz upbringing, I have been lucky enough to be featured on shows and albums by my peers in a variety of styles, such as funk, folk, and hip hop. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

Regardless of ability, I think it is important to cater to the goals of my students, and help them achieve whatever they want in their own playing, whether it is a difficult piece to learn, wanting better articulation or increasing range and endurance. Whatever the student wants to learn with trumpet, I can help them with. Reaching a high level of playing has required struggle and effort on my part, but my teachers were able to consistently motivate me to become a better player to do this. Read More

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

Onside of this, I've taught percussion ensembles to local middle schools such as Mokena and Manhattan Jr. High. Additionally, I've taught 8 marching band ensembles and am currently writing music for some of those. Nowadays, I'm a student at NIU in my last year of study and look forward to rebuilding a studio of young professional musicians here in Dekalb. -Chicago Bulls NBA active drummer for 6 years -Performed at Lollapalooza this last summer with electronic artist Ekoli -Marched 3 years in Phantom Regiment Drum Corp. on snare and was drum captain in 2015 -Marched 1 year in Colts Drum Corp. on snare -Performed 5 year in WGI group Cavaliers Indoor Percussion -Played at PASIC in Indy this past winter with NIU Percussion studio -4 years drumming improv. for NIU dance classes -Played tenors at NIU in the marching band -Played in jazz combos at NIU Teaching: -Taught Shadow Drum Corp. 2 years -I've been teaching private lessons for 10 years now -Taught Middle School Percussion Ensemble -Battery Caption head at LWMB and Wheaton Warrenville south as well as other places over the years such as Lake Park, Plainfield -Taught in Music Matters music shop Let me know if you'd like to know more and I hope you consider my expertise. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

My teaching follows the books quite a bit, so that the student remembers what was taught when they go home and practice. I like for the student to have a notebook that I can write in supplemental information. I understand that each student learns differently and I am able to differentiate my teaching methods to best fit the student needs. I enjoy getting to know each student's personality, strengths and challenges so that we can work together to make a fun and enjoyable time if learning and progressing in music. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I taught private lessons several years ago during my undergraduate study at the University of North Texas. While I enjoyed it at the time, I remember thinking that I needed to concentrate on my own study to improve any teaching skills I had up to that point. I also had classroom experience with middle school band students during my undergraduate study - leading rehearsals and demonstrating proper tone production and articulation. Read More