Music Lessons in Woodmere, OH

Instruments: Piano Drums

I feel that I can develop a great rapport with students, and am able to relate to their musical interests no matter what their preferred style(s). Due to the extensive and varied experience I have gained, I am able to develop exercises and choose materials that are relevant to each individual student's needs and goals. My greatest reward is seeing my students gain confidence and the passion for making music that I have known throughout my life. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

I have not been teaching lessons for long in my career, but since I grew up in Northeast Ohio and went to school at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, I know the region well. I participated in the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and the Akron Youth Symphony, so I am familiar with opportunities that are in the area and know how to prepare students for these types of elite ensembles. I have performed in multiple professional ensembles and as a result specialize in orchestral and wind band studies and the technique someone would need to participate in them. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For young beginners, I usually start with simple note reading so that they can begin playing tunes right away. When children realize that they can play "Happy Birthday" or "Jingle Bells" after just a couple of lessons, their interest level increases. For older students, I tend to ask "What does playing the guitar look like to you? What do you imagine yourself doing when you ponder it?" This gives me the best idea of what direction we can plan for. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Positive reinforcement is everything! While there will always be room for improvement and growth, it is crucial to acknowledge successes throughout each lesson. Learning a new instrument requires patience, practice, and determination, and reinforcers can be a huge motivator (I know they were for me when I was learning). Realistic goals should be set for the individual at each lesson. Most importantly, it is not a race. Adaptations will be made accordingly based on the learning pace of each student. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba

I love teaching because I believe most, if not all, people love music and can learn to love making music. I want it to be fun for them, to keep them interested. I believe that a set of expectations on the student is required to keep them motivated, but I am never upset or disappointed if they don't practice enough. I think keeping them involved in music is the most important part, and I know that many students will not pursue a full time career in music, but music is valuable to them in so many ways. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

It's important to me that private lessons incorporate dialogue as much as possible. A student's feedback and questions are invaluable when deciding how to proceed. Rather than handing the student new materials from week to week without regard for their personal needs, I prefer to really dig in and figure out what their specific barriers to improvement are. I believe that the best way to do that is open communication, and I try to encourage that by conveying my excitement for music and learning at every lesson. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Although I am not a certified Suzuki teacher, I do utilize the Suzuki books for beginning students. I find that they provide a good breadth of repertoire suitable for students who are new to their instruments. For more advanced students, I use standard repertoire for their instrument, making sure each piece teaches them to hone a skill while also preparing them for big auditions. I believe it is important to have a long and diverse repertoire list. Read More