Music Lessons in Wood Dale, IL

Instruments: Trumpet

I start each student with a diagnostic lesson where I assess the strong points of their playing, and I also identify the areas that could use work. After that initial lesson I formulate a customized curriculum that is aimed at improving the technical, musical, and theoretical aspects of the student to create a well-rounded musician. I believe that incorporating solo repertoire into lessons is important as well. Exercises are important, but I believe that the implementation of new skills with repertoire is key to solidifying the skills that the student is working on. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For beginning students, I like to start with the basic fundamentals of holding the drum sticks properly and how to set up the drum set so its comfortable for the student. Every body type is different and its important to start with that. Then we would move on to learning the basics of different styles and then move on to reading music from method books. With adult students, I find out what they are interested in and work towards their goals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I was raised into a family of music and heard classic/southern rock, blues, bluegrass and pop hits performed live at family get togethers throughout my youth. I played Euphonium in a concert setting through high school as well as the Baritone in marching band. My native instrument is the electric guitar but I have studied heavily with acoustic material as well as bass guitar. I have had the opportunity to teach a few different age groups as well and it inspires me to continue teaching no matter the age group. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe honest communication is the best foundation for teaching; it truly allows the student to know how I feel about their progress and how they feel about their experience learning a musical instrument. I balance my personal view of the student's abilities with their opinion of their abilities and progress and try to tailor what we can do together to strengthen our time together. I think that there is the idea that having the student learn what they want to learn must be balanced with considerations like ability level and progress. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I prefer to start young beginners with the Suzuki method. I feel it's the best method for not only instilling the correct posture and tone production, but also a great method for instilling a passion for the instrument. Students learn songs by rote in a lesson, and then practice at home along with a recording in order to train the ear. Once students have a good foundation, I add in I Can Read Music and use it as a supplement to continued Suzuki practice to begin developing music reading skills. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My method of teaching is based in the standard pedagogy of scales and chords(arpeggios). Those who are beginner and intermediate I usually start with the Rubank series of method books as well as easy to play popular tunes. For those who are at the advanced level I would teach out of the Baermann method book in addition to the Rose studies as well as Kroepsch, Jean-Jean, and Rode. We could also try working on any of the clarinet concertos and sonatas. Read More