Piano Lessons in Calumet City, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

For adults, I like to assess their skills and goals individually and choose a program that will work best for them. I usually still stick with the Alfred's books, but there are combination levels geared toward older learners. VOICE: For voice students, I start with vocal exercises and conversations that help me to get a full picture of a student's abilities and needs. I then start with a comprehensive program of breath support awareness, pitch matching and intervals, vowel shape, vocal placement, and more depending on what kind of singing (musical theatre, rock, pop, etc.) they are interested in developing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I always try to encourage students to see the small victories in playing music; regardless of how significant or noticeable an achievement is. Many students get down on themselves because they can't play something or they make a mistake. This is a deficit mindset that stunts growth long term. When I first teach a student I want them to set a short term goal between each lesson and one long term goal that spans from a month to a year. Read More

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

Going back to my first drum lesson takes us back 8 years into the year of 2012. I started teaching lessons as a casual event in my basement to local kids in my neighborhood. While this was taking place, I was not asking for any money whatsoever. Eventually, I started to build a community of well rounded musicians that were attaining success in my studio. This led me to start charging money as my studio grew to about 25 students a week at its best. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

Ive been playing Guitar and Singing since I was 9 years old. Almost all of this was self-taught until I attended Columbia for Music theory and Composition after high school. There, I was ranked the top rated guitarist on fret-board jury for two semesters in a row, I was an examplary student and began my journey towards becoming and an accomplished pianist. Starting at the age of 12, I founded my first band and have played in a variety of original and cover bands ever since. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For 5 to 6 year old beginners, I create an individualized lesson plan based on observing the student's learning style, strengths and weaknesses as well as personality. For the first 4 or more lessons, this includes my own big-note, large-symbol work sheets and simple songs. Next, and with older or more advanced students, I use a combination of lesson, technique and performance method books (Faber, Bastien, Hal Leonard), a scale/chording book and adjunct material consisting of songs the student wants to learn such as pop/rock, movie themes, holiday and theme music, and classical, to maintain interest and enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Nothing is more important than seeing your students progress in their playing. I make sure that every lesson is fun and interesting for my students so they can learn faster and be inspired to practice even when they go home. I'm trying to find out what inspires the students so we can always have a successful lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

For beginning students I usually start with either Fundamentals of Piano Theory or just basic note reading and writing. Since each student is different and responds differently to any variety of instruction methods, it’s important for me to be flexible and find the right one for the student. For kids, keeping the material light enough to understand while being challenging and engaging is important. For adults, being aware that they have busy lives with not as much time to practice as kids is something I always take into consideration. Read More