Piano Lessons in Westchester, IL

Instruments: Piano

I believe students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique, followed by artistic expression. My teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. To progress, students must practice daily. I let my students know that quality and focus of practice is far more important than duration. They learn to isolate 2 or 3 measures, and repeat them slowly until accuaracy is achieved consistently. I convey my love of teaching by: complimenting students on achieving goals, smiling, being energetic, making sure the student lets me know when he/she does not understand a concept and re-explaing it until it is understood with gentleness and patience, bringing in adjunct music from which the student, after hearing me play several excerpts, can select several pieces, playing duets with the student, and encouraging students to compose their own songs by ear, which I later notate. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Electric Guitar Djembe

In essence, my love of teaching stems from my Mom's love of teaching. She sincerely desired to teach my siblings and myself to pursue our highest dreams. It turned out that I did succeed as a star performer in music, on stages around the world. But also, when I decided to settle down, I added education to my 10-year plan. So, I went back to school for another master's degree, and taught music in CPS - performing three nights per week with my the Bartels/Benson duo, Connexion Band, Prohibition Orchestra, Bryan Skyler Trio, and other groups. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

In my teaching methods, I focus on the correct positioning of both hands and the body as a whole. Freedom of play is important to me, which will help the student to develop technically and artistically. Over many years of experience working with beginners, I have developed my own methodology that enables rapid growth in the play, and my students show very good results already in the first year. An example of this is my student, who entered Manhattan School with a big scholarship after her first year of study performing a concert by D. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am a graduate of Lawrence University with a BA in Music (Piano) and German. I've played piano for almost 20 years, but in college performed more with voice. In college as a BA candidate I was able to take a variety of lessons, including classical piano (my major), jazz piano, classical voice, and jazz voice. One of my favorite projects in college included a recital comprised of all the types of music I love playing and learning about such as a solo piano piece, a few piano duets, a piecewhere I sang and accompanied myself, a vocal jazz small group, and a few others. Read More

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

In 2010, I graduated from VanderCook College of Music with a Bachelor's in Music Education. I have played in a variety of instrumental ensembles on different instruments, from euphonium, trombone, marimba and drum-set to name a few. I am motivated to helping people accomplish their goal of learning their instrument. I teach music for Chicago Public Schools and have started a music program at my school teaching, marching band, guitar, choir, drum-line and orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

I build each lesson around the needs of each student and what they would like to accomplish. I help them set reasonable practice and achievement goals. If there is a style of music they would like to learn or a particular song, I try to fit it in with the lesson and use it as a teaching tool as well. Proper technique is the foundation for exceptional performance. I spend at least 5-10 minutes each lesson on technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Ukulele Recorder Music Keyboard

I have had a desire to be an educator since I was in second grade. The first music ensemble I directed was a men's choir at Huntley High School in Huntley, Illinois. I proceeded to direct worship choirs and bands at Carthage College for my four years at Carthage. After Carthage I became the music teacher at Fratt Elementary School in Racine, Wisconsin where I taught general music and directed the annual fourth and fifth grade musical. Read More