Piano Lessons in Cottage Grove, MN

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Every student has an experience unique to themselves. I am strict about meeting the goals developed by each student. However, the learning process is highly individual. You will learn at a pace and with a curriculum we develop to best suit your learning style, musical preference, and goals. Based on these goals, I will figure out the best method of incorporating theory, technique, and improvisation. I like to work on a piece of repertoire and tell we have perfected whatever the main goal of the piece is. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Music Keyboard

I've been teaching lessons for students and also giving advise for others for 35+ years. I've been told that I have a very gentle nature. I guess it's the way I was brought up. anyway.....I teach to a students strengths and weaknesses. For example; One may have a young sax student that has very good sound right out the gate but cannot understand the language on the page. Conversely, the student that gets the language right way, but alas, the thing sounds like a duck call! those are specific issues that need to be addressed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

My experiences teaching are fundamentally positive in nature. I know each student is different and unique in his or her way. I also teach lessons in German and/or English as needed. Setting a goal at the first lesson is important to me. I provide recitals twice a year for both strings and piano. For piano I offer a grand piano sent back from Vienna, refurbished and beautiful in tone. Read More

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

As a teacher, I've learned so much from my colleagues and peers, but likely not as much as I've learned from my students. I've found that some teaching practices are outdated and I think I can bring a fresh and modern perspective to teaching music. I like to base my lessons around the student's natural curiosity and desire for learning music. Whether that be trying to play in the school band or wanting to learn a Led Zeppelin song, I believe that giving my students this ability to make their own decisions, helps them become more confident, motivated, and passionate about succeeding as a musician as well as in their own personal lives. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Here are a couple of reviews from students: “Ian’s experience with Sebastian has been nothing short of wondrous. Sebastian has the unique ability to find a musical connection with a broad range of students, From prodigies to students like my son who simply want to know the joy of playing music. Sebastian is able to meet the students where he or she is at in their musical journey and coax that student to move forward at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium Mallet Percussion

I do expect regular practice outside of lessons; I do not want lessons to simply be a guided practice session. Ideally, students would fully prepare the assigned material for each lesson-- not that it needs to be perfect, but that I can tell that he or she has been working on it. For students who are clearly putting in a reasonable amount of effort, I reward them by writing out melodies of their favorite pop songs for them to learn to play. Read More