Piano Lessons in Mendota, MN

Instruments: Piano Voice

Each student needs a long-term goal in mind for where they want their voice to be. I like to start out by setting a couple realistic goals for the long-term with my students, then breaking those goals down into manageable steps each associated with one or two pieces. I also want students to know that they are accomplishing their goals, so I have my students tape lessons and listen back later to hear their progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Lesson plans are catered to the needs and level of each individual student. For younger students with maturing voices, I generally work on basic technique like breathing and posture. I will teach solfege and simple songs that help develop the young singer's ear and a relationship to their voice. For more mature voices, typically above the age of 16, I begin to approach more technical areas of singing like vowel formation, breath energy and management, agility, legato, vocal registration, and a more detailed understanding of the physical anatomy behind singing. 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 I've found that some teaching practices are outdated and I think I can bring a fresh and modern perspective to teaching music.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 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

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I am very personal in the way I handle my lessons! You come to me and tell me what you are looking to learn or accomplish and I will put together a plan to make that happen. I work with a lot of artists on their original music as well, getting them ready for recording the music or performing live. I also teach from a holistic approach taking into account many different elements that affect vocal health / performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello

I try to strike a balance between music lessons being serious and being fun. I expect my students to practice almost every day and I expect that the parents will be part of keeping them accountable for scheduling that practicing. Lessons are a combination of learning technical skills and learning songs, which usually are mostly classical songs with a few contemporary songs thrown in for motivation. Read More