Piano Lessons in Mundelein, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

For beginning musicians, I like to start with the very fundamentals of music theory in order to get them comfortable with reading music and understanding what they are doing. Books I have used in the past include the Essential Elements series and the Melodious and Progressive Etude series. I also understand the importance of enjoying what one is playing, so I always urge students find pieces or books for themselves that they are interested in, and incorporate them into my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard

Basically I start with questions on why the individual wants to learn how to play that particular instrument. Then I follow with how much do they know about the instrument of their choice. So following a brief historical lesson we get into how to start playing that instrument. Also why I love to play that instrument and why I'm playing it with passion. I start teaching with basic scales or vocal warm-ups. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music Keyboard

I am an educator, composer, and instrumentalist with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. Over the past few years I have been fortunate to share the stage with artists like Bernard Purdie (drummer for Aretha Franklin), Donny Mccaslin (Saxophonist for David Bowie), and Cassandra O'Neil (Keyboardist for Prince). While I love performing, my heart lies with composing. I work primarily as a composer for film and TV, although I regularly write music for the concert hall as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I typically divide my lessons into quarters so that the first part is just scale work. The second part is scale patterns and technique. The third portion is prepared materials, and the final portion is listening. I bring an Ipod with close to 750,000 songs on it for kids to choose pieces featuring their own instruments for inspirational purposes. I find that listening can be just as informative as pressing down keys:) Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

While receiving my masters degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Kentucky I became a teacher at a youth arts academy, Academy for Creative Excellence. I never envisioned myself as a voice teacher, but as I grew to know my students and see the impact of the arts on their young lives it has become a true passion of mine.Since discovering my love for teaching voice, I myself have sung more musical theatre as it is the most popular genre I teach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Clarinet

Young students love playing the pop tunes, so I whole-heartedly accept them finding a book of broadway or pop tunes and brining it to lessons. For the older students, I always go to the Rose 32 Etudes for Clarinet, focusing primarily on the slower etudes to continue developing tone. Scales are also a must for all ages - I stress the importance of tone with these exercises because it's not just about the fingers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I am a seasoned orchestral musician, having played in the violin, viola, and cello sections well over two dozen symphony orchestras in four different states. I have been actively teaching violin, viola, cello, and piano since 2002. In addition to classical music, I am very passionate about the traditional music of East Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Celtic lands, and have performed music from many global traditions as both a soloist and a member of various bands and ensembles. Read More