Guitar Lessons in North Barrington, IL

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

Learning to play an instrument can be extremely overwhelming, so it's important that the student sets his or her own pace. My role as a teacher is simply to guide students along paths they choose for themselves. At the same time, I push students to explore ideas that they may not have thought to explore for themselves. For example, as a predominantly rock and blues oriented musician, some of the most profound growth I've experienced has come from learning the basics of classical theory. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

The first lesson is always partly an interview so I can understand exactly what the student's goals are. I typically establish good posture and breathing habits (or bowing and fingering, if violin) first and then move on to essential warm-up exercises. Those exercises then become their regular homework, to hopefully be practiced multiple times a week or if possible, every day. I remind the student of breathing and posture regularly - good habits are the goal! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer French Horn

For the past 20 years, I've studied and performed with keyboards, guitars and woodwind instruments while exploring a very wide variety of music ranging from classical and rock to jazz and avant-garde. Expanding and sharing that knowledge with other people in a helpful and friendly manner is something that I consummately enjoy- especially if they're beginning where I once was. My education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from DePaul University, and I've been working on my Music Education Certificate at UMSL since August 2014. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I like to adapt all of my lessons to fit the unique the goals of each student. For younger students, I prioritize building a firm foundation of music fundamentals before diving too far into instrumental study. I am a fan of the Suzuki school of thought that music is a language. For older students and adults, I work towards more specific goals that the student has. In the event that students or parents want classical instruction that emphasizes musical literacy, I start with the Hal Leonard guitar method and progress to the William Leavitt books once the student is capable. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginning students of any age I start out with basic open chords and how to switch between them. We'll eventually try out different picking patterns with these chords and some simple songs that utilize them. For more experienced students I will present some chords and scales and determine what level they are on and take it from there. Once my students have a grasp on some chords and scales I like to have them take turns soloing while the other plays rhythm. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

While in college, I began tutoring fellow music students in the areas of guitar, songwriting, music production, and music theory. It was during this time that I realized how fun and rewarding it is to have something I say "click" for the student that encourages their love for music! After college, I started teaching younger, beginning students, and am now looking to expand my teaching to all levels and ages. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my time in high school, as I taught group guitar lessons with the Franklin Community Education and Recreation Department as well as private guitar lessons from 2011 to 2013. In both of those environments, I typically taught children ages 6 to 12, most of whom were beginners on their instrument. I found these lessons inspiring and enlivening; witnessing the sense of curiosity and wonder my students had as they began to make their first sounds made me excited to teach and to grow with them each week. Read More