Voice Lessons in Park Forest, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

My goal is to hear that students dont even realize how much theyre practicing throughout the week because theyre enjoying it so much! I always encourage 5 minutes a day to startthat time will usually increase naturally. I take time to get to know my students because I love to incorporate their other interests into the lessons to help keep them engaged. As a lifelong learner myself, I always encourage this quality because I believe that allowing yourself to be a beginner at something new all the time really fosters all-around success! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I try to give each student an idea whats coming next, every few lessons or so, while practicing what their on currently. This idea is not for every student so it is a selective process I use with the brightest ones, or fast learners and good practicers.When I see a student really start to play well I gain confidence in my teaching style...but when needed I can dial it back a notch or two. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

While at Millikin University, Mary took piano lessons from Aldo Mancinelli (and his wife and former student, Judith Mancinelli), who took lessons from Claudio Arrau, who took lessons from Martin Krause, who took lessons from Franz Liszt, who took lessons from Carl Czerny, who took lessons from Ludwig van Beethoven, who took lessons from Joseph Haydn. Haydn was friends with and had a huge influence on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ludwig van Beethoven also studied with Christian Neefe, who studied with Johann Hiller, who studied with Gottfried Homilius, who studied with Johann Sebastian Bach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Cello Trombone Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, scales, and basic music theory. 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 and continuing students, 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 Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

Philosophy on Music- There is imitation and creation, but to truly create one must first learn the established forms before one can break them. Eventually through discipline to these forms, one will see these forms not as absolutes governors, but instead a variety of tools that aid us in our artistic expression and enjoyment. Philosophy as an Educator- To be an effective educator I believe that one must not only create a curriculum and pay attention to the individual needs of their students, but one must also provide an environment that fosters growth. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

While instructing private voice students, I teach the functional approach to singing. This mindset allows the vocalist to focus on singing freely in all genres. I believe it is important to not only teach a wide variety of repertoire, but to also inform my students on vocal health. Along with a functional approach to the voice, I promote a safe and welcoming environment to make music in. If a student does not feel comfortable in the space they are in, then they will not perform to their fullest potential and I would not have completed my job. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

I have been teaching lessons for over 5 years, starting when I was in college. I encourage stringent and regular practicing outside of lesson times, and am always available via text or email for students to ask me questions. I firmly believe that classical technique is essential to creating safe and beautiful sound, and can be adapted into any style the singer wants to focus on. Every student learns differently, and I treat every student as an individual in that capacity. Read More