Music Lessons in Wheat Ridge, CO

Instruments: Trumpet Ukulele

With most beggining students I use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements 2000. For intermediate students I find the Rubank methods move at a faster pace and put a larger emphases on scales. For beginning students, when students are ready I will introduce an easy solo book. In most cases I use Belwin Master Solos or an Essential Elements supplement depending on the interests of the student. For students interested in learning jazz or other forms of improvisation, I would use Hal Leonard's "How to Play from a Real Book" in combination with the Hal Leonard or Aebersold play-along series. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I became passionate about teaching during my master's degree studies at New England Conservatory. I followed that passion through a doctoral degree in Music and Human Learning at UT Austin, and since have taught at universities, summer camps, and after-school programs. At the Stanford Jazz Workshop, I have been the Faculty Director and the Co-Director of the Mentor Fellowship Program, and I am the co-founder of CU Denver's LYNX Music Industry Camp. Read More

Instruments: Cello

One of my favorite parts about teaching is that oftentimes I learn just as much as the student in the teaching process. For beginner students, I start by working through Hal Leonard's Essential Elements book one for cello. After completing this book of fundamentals, I have the student work through Suzuki books 1-5. Alongside the Suzuki books, I also make sure the student has pieces they can learn for fun. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

After figuring out what drives them and excites them then I will start working with the student at their individual skill level, all the while incorporating what interests them. I believe in teaching a strong fundamental base and working from there. Every student benefits from a strong foundation. After this technical base is implemented, I believe in building on this foundation, this is where the individualized lesson plans are crucial. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

To me it is one of the greatest rewards to see my students understand a concept or play a difficult passage. I believe it's important for each student to progress at his or her own pace because everyone has a different mindset. I often tell my students to just work on the first and second staff of the music so they don't overload themselves with work. Setting reasonable goals fuels the students desire to progress and gets them excited to continue learning more. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing music since I was about 8 years old. I started with the drums once my parents tired of my "playing" the kitchen! I started playing the drums at 11 years old and had my first student when I was old enough to drive. I started playing guitar at 25 when my life made keeping drums impractical. I picked up bass while playing with a small jazz group that did not have a bass player. Read More