Piano Lessons in Collinsville, IL

Instruments: Piano

I am a funny, down-to-earth person and am always considerate of my students' feelings.  My tone is never critical, as my main goal is to inspire the same sort of passion for music that I have aquired throughout my own musical education.  I have caring teaching practices which generate self-motivated practice, a skill which translates well to all other areas of achievement.  Students are encouraged to work at their own pace, and progress is dependant on level of interest and commitment; "you only get what you give."  This is true for everyone! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. I will have you have an assignment notebook where I write what your "sticker song" will be for the following week; this way it's clear what your assignment is. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

I do not use any textbooks or piano method books in my teaching. I am almost completely self taught, but have had success with my own methods of teaching piano. I have my own musical examples written out, which I can easily print or email for students. For beginners, I generally focus on basic technique and practice routine. Once the student has mastered some fundamentals (scales, chords, etc.), I introduce beginning level repetoire and start with basic sight-reading techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Classical Guitar

My teaching experience began at the age of thirteen. I gave lessons out of my home in Webster Groves, Missouri. I have been teaching students out of my home for thirty plus years. I will also go to the home. I like to encourage students to practice daily. Each student has a practice log which they have to fill out on a weekly basis. My job is to provide structure and consistency within a framework that is also fun for each students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Piccolo Keyboard

My first experience teaching music began immediately after graduation college and had continued to the present day. Originating as the music teacher at a girl's club the summer after my college graduation, my music profession soon began. There my eyes were opened to the benefits music has on children. This is also where I learned a lot about myself musically. While teaching music theory, choir & directing the summer musical started its cycle of my evolution here, this was only is beginning. Read More

Instruments: Piano

From upper elementary on, musicology is added. For a student that plans to keep learning, musicology is the history and the composer's impetus for composing the way he does. Why did Chopin compose so differently from Schumann, and what does the student need to learn to play each composer as he intended? It's very interesting, and separates my students from others that are playing just notes. They may be playing with feeling, but whose feeling? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Double Bass Mallet Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I use both classics and popular songs to teach reading, theory, ear-training, and improvisation. I teach all of my lessons differently- custom tailoring each one to the students (and parent's) wants, needs, and personal learning style. My success in teaching has come from helping the student to see the joy and pride that comes from attaining goals they might not have believed possible. Playing music should also be fun- the more a student enjoys what they are doing the more they will play- resulting in a higher level of achievement. Read More