Piano Lessons in Abbott Park, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I have loved music from a very early age and I have been fortunate to study a variety of instruments and musical styles. I grew up studying the drums, piano, guitar, voice, and songwriting. I have been in a cover bands, original bands, jazz bands, choirs, a country band, a steel drum band, marching band, opera, a pop orchestra, a hip hop ensemble, and musical theatre productions. In college I took my studies further by learning music theory and aural skills while still performing in ensembles and writing lots of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I allow the students to progress at their own pace, and I love developing in them a passion for learning the piano. Learning to play the piano should be fun! Some of the process can be repetitive, but helping students see the payoff makes the repetitive part worth it. I am a positive, encouraing person. Students are comfortable with me and enjoy the lessons because of my attitude towards it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

Philosophy on Music- There is imitation and creation, but to truly create one must first learn the established forms before one can break them. Eventually through discipline to these forms, one will see these forms not as absolutes governors, but instead a variety of tools that aid us in our artistic expression and enjoyment. Philosophy as an Educator- To be an effective educator I believe that one must not only create a curriculum and pay attention to the individual needs of their students, but one must also provide an environment that fosters growth. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute

I am a professional saxophonist specializing in Jazz performance and have spent many years playing in cities such as Chicago, Boston, New York City, and Rochester, New York. I double on flute and am proficient in that instrument as well. I have taught students for several years now and have taken classes in pedagogy and teaching skills. In addition to the jazz musician side of me, I am also a music therapist. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique, followed by artistic expression. My teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. To progress, students must practice daily. I let my students know that quality and focus of practice is far more important than duration. They learn to isolate 2 or 3 measures, and repeat them slowly until accuaracy is achieved consistently. I convey my love of teaching by: complimenting students on achieving goals, smiling, being energetic, making sure the student lets me know when he/she does not understand a concept and re-explaing it until it is understood with gentleness and patience, bringing in adjunct music from which the student, after hearing me play several excerpts, can select several pieces, playing duets with the student, and encouraging students to compose their own songs by ear, which I later notate. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer

I want all of my students to enjoy the piano, but my ultimate goal is for all my students to become excellent musicians. Musicianship is the key. I want them to be able to play with excellent time and rhythm, read music, and have ears where they can figure out how to play something by listening to it on the radio. This will allow them to not only be great soloists, but to play in bands and ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

I started teaching music when I was a junior in high school. I continued teaching private lessons through my college career to local grade school and high school students. College was where I learned how to teach and play strings, woodwinds, percussion, voice, and piano in addition to brass. Once I graduated with my Bachelor's degree, I taught as the adjunct professor of low brass at Saint Joseph's College teaching tuba, trombone, euphonium, and capstone performance courses to the college's music majors. Read More