Saxophone Lessons in Riverdale, IL

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Harp

Understanding that every student has unique experiences, interests, strengths and weaknesses, I always work to ensure that lessons are to the benefit of the student. Instead of thinking of my role as a director who prescribes a set path, I like to think of private lessons as an opportunity for partnership, where I play the role of facilitator. To do so, I regularly check-in with students to build a lesson structure that works for them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My passion is teaching. It's my profession, as well as my hobby (I am a Volunteer Sunday School Teacher). My main goal in music lessons is to make the experience enjoyable for the student -- I'm not very strict when it comes to progress. In my opinion, a student should genuinely enjoy playing their instrument because progress inevitably follows. I love to do risk-free trials because the student and the teacher need to have a certain rapport for the lessons to be fully effective. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I'm a professional musician and educator who has lived in Chicagoland with my wife and two boys for the last 18 years. I'm originally from Columbus, Ohio and received my BM from Capital University there. From there I was Music Director for one of Royal Caribbean's ships and then I made the move to Chicago in mid-1996. From then until now I have become one of the top/first call saxophonist/woodwind musicians in the city of Chicago and have performed all over the world with musical lumaries such as Aretha Franklin, The OJays, Brian McKnight, Diana Ross, Al Jarreau, The Temps and dozens of others! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I began teaching during my years as an undergraduate. I have worked with private students of a wide variety of ages. I have focused on sound production, saxophone technique, ear training, music theory, and repertoire in lessons. I keep an open mind as a teacher and do not try to push students into playing music that they are not interested in. Rather, I encourage the students to follow their own musical interests and draw upon my own musical background to help them play the music to the best of their ability. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For individual study, I use a number of diverse methods, depending on the needs and goals of the student. Beginner students will start with the Hal Leonard Beginner series, focused on mastering the fundamentals. Once a students has mastered the foundational technical scales, arpeggios, articulation; and understanding of time and tempo, we can proceed to augmenting the classical studies with jazz studies. For more intermediate - advanced students, we continue with the Hal Leonard series and augment with the Paul DeVille Universal Method for Saxophone, Klose 25 Daily Exercises, Voxman Selected Studies Books, and transcriptions of Bach (Cello Suites) and Taffanel (Flute Studies). Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Viola Saxophone

My experience with teaching began in high school, when I taught piano and choir at the pre-k level with a local community group. It was there that I fell in love with helping students learn. Since then, I have privately coached voice and piano, and helped students prepare for auditions or solos. Nothing is more amazing than watching someone achieve their goals and loving every step of the process! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

My teaching style is a mix of fun and discipline. I love to joke around and I feel that humor can help calm the nerves. Humor helps create a bond, and when we bond we show that we care. The student needs to care just as much as the teacher, and when we put these things together we form a great student/teacher relationship. I also know when it's time to be serious and focus on the lesson. Read More