Piano Lessons in Riverside, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I started teaching towards the end of high school and continued in college and beyond! I found it beneficial to be teaching students while still being a student myself. Having great teachers in my life has shaped my own approach to teaching. I discovered that when I was able to study what I was truly excited about, my capacity to learn and improve my craft increased exponentially! To that end, I encourage students to bring in original material as well as "covers" that they are interested in to build a repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

To me, the most important thing about teaching is listening to a student's goals and interests. I do my best to keep my ears open as we work to make sure I am structuring a program that helps them feel fulfilled and challenged every step of the way. For younger students, the goal is to keep them engaged in music until the point when they have such mastery that they can see the results of their work tangibly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

As I mentioned previously, I find it very important that every student be approached from an individual, customized standpoint. However, I do find it important that every student has a strong basis in fundamentals and sound quality so that they have a strong foundation which they can then build upon. For beginning students, I will typically start them with rudiments and eventually work them into a mix of published and improvised solos to foster both technical progress and artistic creativity. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For my younger students, I often use a balance between classical, pop and jazz music. Fabers Piano Adventures or any variety of the Faber books with a theory book is often used so that students will have a firm foundation on how music works. They can then apply that knowledge to any piece of music going forward. We skip around in the book as needed for every students different learning style. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music Keyboard

While a consistent practice schedule is ideal but the same principle applies here: focused practice is ideal, practicing just to get in the hours will not progress a students ability (I know from personal experience). Some students enjoy learning exercises from a book while others enjoy learning pop songs by ear, forcing book exercises on a student who may want to learn Ariana Grande songs will result in inefficient practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I do this myself without straining the student. Gradually, the student begins to naturally hold the instrument. From this point on, we gradually begin to play songs on our own. Children are eager to play because it is easy and interesting for them. With older children who are already playing, there are other tasks. I work on the technique of playing the instrument, while motivating them in various ways so that it is interesting for them to do routine work. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard Djembe

Passion for music and fluency with the language of music are my ultimate goals. When I can get students passionately and freely expressing themselves, without hesitations, inhibitions, or apologies, I feel I have liberated the master artist that dormant within each of us. Everyone has such a powerful, and beautiful voice within: to be able to fearlessly communicate it through the power of music is my goal for all students. Read More