Music Lessons in Alton, IL

Instruments: Voice

I am dedicated to training beginner to advanced voices using a mixture of classical and pop techniques.  For younger students, I typically begin with just getting them comfortable to sing by letting them choose the songs they love to listen to, and using vocal techniques that are easy for them to grasp and understand.  For my pre-teen, and teenage students I work on more pre-advanced vocal techniques that they can utilize while singing the songs they love.  When I have an adult student, I like to use pre-advanced to advanced vocal techniques as a larger part of the lesson, and help them to apply those techniques to whatever projects they are already working on outside of the studio. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I started playing guitar at the age of ten. Inspired by numerous classic rock musicians, I began to develop an immense passion for the guitar. However, I was only able to play guitar by ear early on in my development. So although I had a basic technique, I had no real understanding of how to create music or what is often considered the language of music. Finally at the age of 16, I took lessons from a local teacher who introduced me to scales and theory. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

How do I teach? Weekly lessons (in-person or virtual) motivate the student and give them a chance to perform every week Student plays their assigned repertoire and I will often ask them to critique themselves to become active and critical thinkers and diagnosticians I'll share what I think the student can work on and we'll work on the repertoire together in the lesson I always have my clarinet out and will play with and for them when needed I send follow-up lesson notes and occasional resources The repertoire I assign is meant to challenge and excite the student as it lies just at the edge of their comfort zone but within their capabilities with a little practice I aim to always provide honest and helpful feedback Read More

Instruments: Voice

Meet the student where they are at and take them where they want to go. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments help fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

 As mentioned before, I've been teaching for about 11 years. I've taught at charter schools, leading concert band and jazz band rehearsals at local schools and coaching smaller sections of the ensembles. Educational outreach is a part of my job as a musician in the Air Force. We regularly visit schools and provide clinics and presentations for students. I enjoy teaching one-on-one lessons since it provides the opportunity to engage in the interests of the students and tailor the learning experience to best suit their needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. I will have you have an assignment notebook where I write what your "sticker song" will be for the following week; this way it's clear what your assignment is. Read More