Guitar Lessons in Minnetonka, MN

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

My main philosophy is that every student is different and should be treated accordingly. The methods I use are specifically tailored to each student and can be methods that I have learned or developed myself. I start students off by asking them collect ideas about their instrument and the music they enjoy. From that point, I begin to simultaneously teach technique and musicianship in relation to their expressed interests. The key to my teaching method is that I ask difficult questions and then I give the student time to think and develop an answer. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For beginng students i like to start with Hal Lenords guitar 1 book and progress from there. I like to start kids with reading notation and little melodies cause it will help them in the long run. As they progress we will move to more advanced methods. I also use books when teaching such as guitar 1 to 3 it helps students learn how to correctly play rhythms as well as read music notation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a dedicated and experienced guitar teacher with an excellent understanding of the learning process, who loves working with students to help them reach their goals. I earned a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota. I have performed across the US, Europe, and China, as a chamber musician, soloist, and member of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Over the years I have done everything from playing in the local "Battle of The Bands", opening for rocker Marshall Crenshaw with my band "Caf Society" and playing with jazz great Vincent York at The Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival. I have been teaching for over 20 years and really enjoy teaching and helping others, whether they want to play for their own enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For absolute beginners who are children, I will use a method book, such as the Hal Leonard Guitar Method. I help them through the book, supplementing with thier favorite songs and excercises that allow them to play along with ease. For older students, I have a discussion about what they would like to accomplish and set up a general plan. For every lesson, of all ages, I incorporate five categories: Scales, chords, arpeggios, repertoire, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

Whatever type of music they are interested in playing, I find several examples to pull from that and use it as teaching material and relate it back to our foundational training. This keeps our lessons fun, engaging, and rewarding. For Drum set, I teach from Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials 1.0/2.0" and John Riley's "The Art of Bop Drumming". I encourage students to perform a recital but I like to stretch the definition of a "recital". Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

I have been working and teaching kids since I was a kid myself. Upon graduating High School, I began attending Saint Paul College with the loose plan of becoming a "Sign Language Interpreter". I took American Sign Language Classes Level 1-4 and Deaf Culture, all of which worked to sharpen my already-clear communication skills. I discovered that becoming an interpreter was not exactly "my calling" and began expanding my degree to study Child Development and work with children. Read More