Viola Lessons in Downey, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola

The goal for each lesson is for the student to notice their progress and develop a passion for music.  Student input is very important to me.  In my lessons I strive to make the student feel comfortable enough to ask questions and make comments about their own progress.  I am encouraging yet firm and expect a lot from my students.  My lessons are fun and informative, and they help me convey my love of music!  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: Violin Viola

My first teaching experience dates back to High School when I had the opportunity to coach elementary orchestra students. As a student at University of Colorado at Boulder and DePaul University, I completed String Pedagogy courses which covered all the different elements of teaching from how to manage a private studio to instructing your students. Currently, I teach a group of ten kindergartners at Skinner West Elementary School. This has been the most rewarding and challenging part of my teaching career thus far. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

With advancing students of any age, I start to slowly introduce scale and etude books, as well as solo repertoire by major composers, not found in their method books. String students: For both younger and adult beginners, I like to use a combination of the Suzuki books and the Essential Elements series. I do not teach the Suzuki method, but use the books for their staple and universally well-known repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have loved music for as long as I can remember. At three years old I was dancing around my dad’s office as he played Stevie Ray Vaughn. At four I was begging my older brothers to teach me something on their guitars. By eight I was teaching myself “I Want It That Way” on my MIDI keyboard and by nine I finally decided to play the violin through my school orchestra program. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I love using the Suzuki method for skill building, but I also believe that students should be musically literate! I utilize supplemental books, such as "I Can Read Music," Essential Elements, and other sight-reading materials to encourage note-reading from the get-go. All of my students, including those who are 4 years old read notes. I emphasize etudes (studies), scales, warm-ups, physical stretches, and favorite songs of my students as part of a balanced repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Music Keyboard

My methods depend on my students' ages, experience, and instruments. I incorporate books from Full Voice, Suzuki, Schradiek, Piano Pronto, Bastien, and more! I ensure that my students are getting the essential education that will help them grow and succeed as a musician. In addition to teaching exercises, technic, warmups, scales, chords, arpeggios (and more), I also ensure that students are applying these things to pieces that are important to learn through lesson books and with songs that my students want to learn. Read More