Viola Lessons in Merrionette Park, IL

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

I always seek to cultivate a relationship and atmosphere of trust, and fun, while at the same time maintaining high expectations It's so important to make sure a student looks forward to lessons, and is inspired to practice and prepare. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Electric Guitar Djembe

The approach, overall, is to drive toward the student's goal. When someone wants to learn how to play an instrument well enough to play in a band or orchestra, I usually consider two needs - playing music and interpreting written music. These are basic parts of education, literally easy to define by achieving pages in etude books. In addition, though, there is a third component to meeting the set goal: writing music - a sensibility that you can create. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

My teaching style is a balance of a casual and relaxed attitude, and an environment that nonetheless encourages excellence and achievement to the highest level possible. I like to establish a friendly and fun atmosphere where the student feels at ease, but always help my students set goals, and hold them to standards of excellence. I also recognize and value that importance of a student enjoying lessons, and that may sometimes mean that s/he wishes to learn and play music not covered by the books and materials we use for lessons; thus, I encourage students to share with me any such music they want to work on, and we then incorporate it into our lessons. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For beginning students (pre-Suzuki), I like to take material from different method books and even write my own songs. This way, each student has their own, individualized curriculum to help with technique or material that they find to be difficult. Once the student has a good grasp of the fundamentals, I like to use Suzuki books. I like to use the Suzuki method for younger beginners because it can be more challenging to learn to read notes, but I encourage note reading for older students. 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

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