Music Lessons in Twin Cities, MN

Instruments: Guitar

I start out the students first lesson giving a brief intro on my background as a musician. I then talk to the student to see what their goals as an upcoming musician are. I focus my lessons on the students skill level, goals among others. I incorporate music theory, ear training, learning to improvise over changes. For beginners I start with basic Melodie’s line Star Wars. Clapping rhythms keeping time using a metronome. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium Mallet Percussion

Additionally, I like students to work on solos with piano accompaniment, although I don't require it. I am also a big fan of using duets to build listening skills and fluidity (and most students think duets are fun!). For piano lessons, I have experience with a variety of methods; each has its strengths and weaknesses. If a student is already using a particular method, we can continue with that if it seems to be working well. Read More

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

Whatever type of music they are interested in playing, I find several examples to pull from that and use it as teaching material and relate it back to our foundational training. This keeps our lessons fun, engaging, and rewarding. For Drum set, I teach from Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials 1.0/2.0" and John Riley's "The Art of Bop Drumming". I encourage students to perform a recital but I like to stretch the definition of a "recital". Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My earliest musical memories were of Led Zeppelin, Guns 'n' Roses, and Jimi Hendrix. When I started taking guitar lessons at eleven years old, I pursued the powerful distorted guitar riffs from my classic rock idols. After learning about jazz in high-school, I began to seek out knowledge of every genre of music. McNally-Smith helped me tremendously. I joined a wide range of ensembles, from blues to indie-rock, classical to gypsy jazz. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Every student has an experience unique to themselves. I am strict about meeting the goals developed by each student. However, the learning process is highly individual. You will learn at a pace and with a curriculum we develop to best suit your learning style, musical preference, and goals. Based on these goals, I will figure out the best method of incorporating theory, technique, and improvisation. I like to work on a piece of repertoire and tell we have perfected whatever the main goal of the piece is. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I began teaching about 7 years ago as a part time way of making a little bit of extra money while in school and began teaching at middle and high schools in preparation for marching band and festival band competitions 5 years ago. I have toured with 3 different ensembles in a jazz medium, a classical medium, and as a brass quintet and have played in many side by side performances with young children up to high school, as well as performing with members of the New York Pops under direction of the world renowned conductor and composer Steven Reineke. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I love teaching guitar because nurturing someones passion for music is a rewarding experience. In my lessons I work to identify a students strengths, needs, learning style, and interests, and tailor lessons to each individual. I think students develop best when theyre working on things theyre excited about. I also think its important to help students with musical ideas, so they can become expressive musicians as well as skilled guitarists. Read More