Piano Lessons in Ravenswood, IL

Instruments: Piano Trombone Euphonium Music

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 10 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 10 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the trombone, piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard

I began teaching in my sophomore year of high school. I was asked to be a student teacher at the summer camps hosted at the School of Rock Chicago. I learned a great deal as I taught rock songs to kids of all ages, prepared them to record original music, and helped direct their performance. I fell in love with the process of engaging a students learning style and figuring out how to relate to each student as an individual. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

While at Millikin University, Mary took piano lessons from Aldo Mancinelli (and his wife and former student, Judith Mancinelli), who took lessons from Claudio Arrau, who took lessons from Martin Krause, who took lessons from Franz Liszt, who took lessons from Carl Czerny, who took lessons from Ludwig van Beethoven, who took lessons from Joseph Haydn. Haydn was friends with and had a huge influence on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ludwig van Beethoven also studied with Christian Neefe, who studied with Johann Hiller, who studied with Gottfried Homilius, who studied with Johann Sebastian Bach. 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 Voice

Im a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students of all ages and sharing my love of music! In 2010, I graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. I started teaching private lessons while in college and loved it so much I never stopped! I have performed in various choirs and ensembles throughout the years and enjoy performing in musical theater productions. Some of my favorite roles include Cosette from Les Miserables and Lily from the Secret Garden. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion

For beginning students I believe it's important for them to begin playing the first day. I get the students to make their first sound and teach the technique and theory as they learn their instrument. For beginning voice students I use the same method, but I like to use a song that the student knows. For students with experience I like to have them play or sing something they know and I evaluate that and I will work with them on that song and build their technique. Read More