Piano Lessons in Lake Forest, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Most of my family doesn’t play music, but my grandpa passed down an old Gibson archtop guitar when he died, and it’s become one of my signature musical colors in many of my projects.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
When I was 18, I composed a 7 minute classical piece for full orchestra that was selected and performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and that experience changed my life, inspiring me to pursue music not only as a personal art but as a major and career.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started on drums, but wanted to learn guitar because I wanted to be able to play and write whole songs with just one instrument, so I started picking up my mom’s old guitar. I eventually added bass guitar and electric guitar to help fill in for my church’s worship band. Later on I added classical guitar in high school to broaden my skills and learn more about the classical world in general. In college I took my first piano classes and lessons, since keyboard skills were becoming vital to my composing and arranging abilities. I picked up ukulele along the way just for fun, and in recent years have begun independent cello and violin studies, since they always seemed like they would be a rewarding challenge, and they are.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I love jamming to straight ahead rock and indie rock songs, the simpler the better. There’s something freeing about playing music that’s easy: it makes it more about the feeling and the message and less about impressing anybody.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I’d be a cowboy. I grew up with horses, love being outside, and always have an itch for a slightly dangerous adventure. Campfires, old songs, and sleeping under the stars–this is reminding me I should go camping more often, haha.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I’m not an advanced cellist, but it’s hard to imagine a richer experience than performing the Bach Cello suites. They are heartbreakingly beautiful, steel clad in their composition structure, and playful and enjoyable in their expression.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My degree is in music composition, and I was primarily inspired by the great symphonies and film scores. I love telling stories through music, and film composing is a wonderful means of connecting with a wide audience at a deep level. Composition has also given me the opportunity to connect with musicians of many instruments and disciplines, as well as filmmakers, serving to expand my musical and storytelling perspective.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I warm up with scales and arpeggios with a metronome, no matter what instrument. For guitar I will also do additional exercises for the left hand. I’ll then dig into the piece I’m working on, going slowly over what I have under my belt so far, and even more slowly add another section. I’ll round out the practice by playing through all the sections together, as if it were a performance, and perhaps review a piece that’s familiar and practiced.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I often use Bastion piano books, since that was introduced to me when I was learning. For guitar, especially for older intermediate students, I always recommend the book Fretboard Logic, since it gives wonderful insight into the design of the fretboard and gives you tools to improvise with command and intention.

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