Viola Lessons in Forest Park, IL

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 Viola Saxophone

I always knew I wanted to study music, and chose Illinois State to do so. While there, I participated in musicals, as well as concert choir and the women's elite chorus "Belle Voix." Since college, I have been writing original cabarets and performing live around the city of Chicago. It's my philosophy that one should never stop learning, so I study regularly with my voice teacher of eight years, Sandra DeAthos, take class at the Bloom School of Jazz (vocal performance and jazz piano), and with the Second City Music Conservatory. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students who are children ages 7 and up without parent support during home practice, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I am a versatile multi-instrumentalist who loves to share the joys of music with students of all backgrounds, ages, and levels of experience. My career as a professional performing musician started even before I began my collegiate studies, as I began professional piano accompanying services while still in high school, and played in my first community orchestra before beginning my undergraduate studies. Throughout the last 17 years, I earned a bachelor's and two graduate degrees in instrumental performance, first focusing on viola and piano, and later, cello. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I mainly teach the Suzuki method, especially for beginner/intermediate players. After Book 5, I tend to use conservatory repertoire such as technique books ( Sevcik, Hrimaly), Scale Books, Etudes, and concertos. When it comes to keeping my students interested, I try to find songs that my students are interested in learning. I find those songs according to their level and the technique I want to teach them and then move on from there. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I prefer to start young beginners with the Suzuki method. I feel it's the best method for not only instilling the correct posture and tone production, but also a great method for instilling a passion for the instrument. Students learn songs by rote in a lesson, and then practice at home along with a recording in order to train the ear. Once students have a good foundation, I add in I Can Read Music and use it as a supplement to continued Suzuki practice to begin developing music reading skills. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My teaching style is based off of my experiences with 10+ teachers I worked with in my history of violin playing (25 years!). I had a lot of fabulous teachers in my life, but the ones I remember and am truly grateful for are the ones who inspired me to be a better musician and ones who taught me how to teach myself. Those are my two goals for my student, find out what would inspire students to want to get better and then teaching them how to practice so that they can get better. Read More