Piano Lessons in Midtown, WI

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

I always figure out where a student is at, and prefer to grow off the student's strengths as opposed to harping on their weaknesses. I have been in lessons before where teachers couldn't get past the smallest details, and these ruined the experience for me, as well as greatly affected what I was able to accomplish in my lessons. The opposite is also true, in that I have had teachers that haven't even informed me of a weakness that I had, and I wasn't able to improve because of it. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Alfred Publishing piano courses (both older and newer), Faber and Faber, Bastien, Edna Mae Burnam, and the Hal Leonard course have all been among my pre-published methods that I have used over the years. I have also adopted some technic content from elsewhere. For example, the Zion Conservatory of Music, where I taught from 2004 to 2018, uses a couple of different customized scale patterns for first- and second-year students. A book I have used with intermediate students is a Conus Russian piano method edited by James and Susan McKeever, who taught the Parkside piano pedagogy courses. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Bastien Piano Basics, Faber Piano Adventures, Alfred's Basic Piano Library etc. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I find that teaching Classical music, especially Romantic piano music, suits my personality and previous piano experiences the best. Even so, I make it a priority to introduce students to as many different musical styles as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I usually begin with Kjoss Standard of Excellence for students who are children, or for students who are just starting out. I will start to present solo repetoire suitable for their first recital show when a student has gained an understanding of the basics. For adults, I try to understand what the student is interested in, and guide my teaching appropriately to make the lessons likeable and fun, no matter their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

During a typical lesson I will hear the pieces my student was practicing the week before, make corrections or suggestions and have them play the piece again. Then I will assign them new pieces and have them play through them making sure they understand what to do and explaining any new concepts and giving suggestions on how to practice. As the students get more advanced I will also have them play scales andexercises and have them work out of a theory book. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For my beginner students who are children I typically start out with either Hal Leonard or Fabre lesson books to learn all the very important foundational keys in music. As I notice they are grasping the concepts and able to apply them I then like to find outside resources such as sheet music, classical, pop to allow them to enjoy and discover what they love most. When it comes to my beginner adult students I usually start them off in the Fabre adult beginner book. Read More