Piano Lessons in Jefferson, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

My teaching style is technical and yet open ended. I stress knowing scales, chords, inversions like the back of your hand to enable you to put them together just as we put the English language together. Letters become words which become sentences which become paragraphs which become stories. Keys become scales which build chords which build progressions which build phrases which build songs. Knowing this language of music, one can freely express what they hear in their mind outwardly to their audience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

One of the most valuable things I learned from Jim Campbell, my main professor/teacher/mentor during my undergraduate career at the University of Kentucky, is that a great teacher does not necessarily need to have already mastered the art form themselves - in fact, as it is said that the best leaders are great followers, I strongly believe that the best teachers are great students, even in a private lesson setting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For beginner students, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements provides a simple and easy to understand method to learning an instrument. For trumpet students, I like to integrate Earl D. Irons, H. L. Clarke, Arban, Stamp, Chicowicz and Caruso studies. In addition to technique, these books offer etudes and duets. For jazz improvisation students, iRealPro, The Real Book and Jamey Abersolds ii-V-I book (Volume 3). In addition to these method books, I also like to stress the importance of sight reading; books like Alan Raphs Dance Band book and other solo repertoire provide good sight reading training. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar

My teaching style is that I set a plan for every student I have. For instance, I will apply reading notes, but that will not work for each student, each student is different and would prefer another style of teaching. That's when i would test their own level of memorization. I would teach each student chord structure of memorizing maximum 2 chords. Once each student fully has the 2 chords memorized I would hand them a sheet of paper, giving them instructions on top of the paper, stating Now that you have mastered memorizing the chords I would want you to come up with a small melody by building a staff with a time signature and writing the notes on the sheet of paper. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Dennis H. has accompanied the Bethel College Women’s Choir on tour, Moody voice students, and Christian Youth Theater productions of “Annie”, “Narnia” and “The Little Princess”. As a past member of Frizane Music Ministries, he has entertained the public at Chicago’s Daley Plaza and in Independence Day parades in Elmwood Park, as well as several retirement communities. He has also performed as a soloist for the Von Maur department store in Glenview and the Marcus Cinema in Sturtevant. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Music Keyboard

Befitting his penchant for encouraging artistic interest amongst younger members of his community, Farobag Homi Cooper is also the Artistic Director and principal conductor of the Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra (ZSO) that offers a unique mixture of young and seasoned professionals sitting side-by-side in a strictly professional setting. Since the year 2000, the Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra has staged highly successful performances at various venues in Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles , and Toronto. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Keyboard

For drumset students, I usually start out with basic patterns and grooves that they can play to their favorite music. That way they really start to get into it. After we have established a bit of rapport, I will go into technique and see what their tolerance is for more intensive practice and more in depth techniques, all the while trying to keep things light and fun. While technique is important, we would like to make sure the student stays interested in the material and keep their attention with engaging material. Read More