Viola Lessons Wisconsin

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola

For piano I use the Alfred series, and for violin and viola I use a combination of Essential Elements and Suzuki books.  As students advance I introduce additional solo repertoire.  My voice students learn from a variety of sources.  I usually start with a song they know well and work from there.  Students also learn a variety of warm-ups and sight-singing techniques.   Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Electric Violin, Fiddle

I first began teaching while at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This was the first time I learned that a student can make remarkable progress at an instrument, given the right encouragement and direction. Since moving to Madison, I have begun teaching at Heid Music, and have been gradually growing a studio on the three instruments I teach. The problem with this studio, however, is that studio availability is somewhat limited, and so it has become more practical to turn online to find more students. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Recorder, Electric Violin, Double Bass, Conga, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Djembe

My teaching style is very involved and incorporates playing for the student, playing with the student, and having the student play on their own. Creating a safe environment where the student is comfortable making mistakes is vital, because making mistakes is a vital component to learning how to play an instrument. I take each student at their own pace and cultivate growth through technical mechanics of the instrument as well as philosophical ideals about what it means to be a musician. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Flute, Piccolo

For young beginning flute students, I typically work from Rubank's Elementary Method and supplement with my own exercises and additional pieces. After the first year or so, I supplement with technical exercises and the Melodious and Progressive Studies and move on to solos from a number of other books. For violin and viola students, I typically work from the Suzuki books and supplement with scales, shifting exercises, and etudes. While there is progression of technical and musical concepts to work on, I tailor specific music assigned to the student's interests and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Recorder, Double Bass, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Shakuhachi, Oboe, Bassoon, English Horn, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students that are k-12 I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements to align with the public school music curriculum. For those 18+ or hoping to learn an instrument outside of school purposes I highly encourage students to pick out their own repertoire to learn however I'm more than happy to help with the process of choosing music. For those with a base line understanding of music we will still read from various methods books and play some standard repertoire but it will not be the focus of lessons. Read More