Saxophone Lessons in Mchenry, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use humor and my own experiences to first establish a caring environment in which the student can be comfortable. Once that connection is established, I like to find out the students interests and make sure a personal goal is set that we can achieve together. There has to be something exciting the student can achieve in order to develop self-motivation. I employ a number of tactics to stimulate self-expression and problem solving skills, as independent work and practice is crucial in any musician's journey. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Harp

I strive to tailor instruction to meet the needs of the individual student. For students who are at a beginning level, I often start with a reliable methods book (i.e. Piano Adventures) to lay a foundation. From there, I like to explore a range of supplementary materials that can help students work toward their personal goals and interests, such as modern/ other genres of music, composition material, technique-specific exercises, etc. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I like to start beginning students with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books. When students move on to other materials, I draw upon their interests and the genre in which they are playing to find materials. I encourage classical students to listen to the repertoire so they can bring in pieces that they want to work on. I use a variety of method books with my jazz students, depending on the specific goals of the lesson, but I also place emphasis on ear training and transcription. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Viola Saxophone

Every student is unique. Therefore, a student's learning process should complement that uniqueness. I like to take time to figure out exactly what "speaks" to a student. What really works for some is completely lost on others. I tailor my instruction to their wants and needs, and take close note of the activities to which they respond well. In doing so, the student meets their goals in a quicker and more enjoyable way. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

My teaching experience started in June of 2023 when I started to work at a summer camp run by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. During the camp, I worked with children from grades 2 all the way through high school. This gave me a lot of experience finding ways to teach people at varying experience levels. I also currently teach private lessons to college level students. In these lessons, we focus on developing overall musicianship, transcription, time, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I frequently assign listening homework, and I play audio recordings and videos during lessons that directly pertain to the areas we are focusing on. For example, if we are working on a classical solo piece, the student may watch footage of that piece being performed by a world-renowned saxophonist. This approach helps to keep things interesting and engaging. I will also record the audio of certain lessons so both myself and the student can track improvement. Read More