Music Lessons in Arnold, MO

Instruments: Voice

I love to see students come out of their shell!  It gives me so much pleasure to watch the progression of a student who starts out shy and scared to sing in public, to commanding a stage and audience after a series of lessons.  I like to move at the students pace, while encouraging and challenging the student to push themselves with healthy vocal practices and exercises, while in, and away from the studio.  My goal for my students is to help them find their own, unique voice and style! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I started performing in my high school orchestra as the pianist, and had friends that wanted to learn to play. That was my first experience at teaching. I taught for the next eight years part time in Texas while I was majoring in Piano Performance and Theory. For the next 25 years, while I was working at my professional job, I kept teaching piano part time just because I loved the joy it brought to me and my students. Read More

Instruments: Voice

As every voice is unique, it is important to me that the lessons I give are personalized for each student. It is always my goal to unlock the singer's true, natural voice, so that they can create their own personal sound. I use a functional bel canto method that focuses on a natural expression of the voice and an active breath and resonance. This ensures a healthy sound production, avoiding undue pressure on the vocal folds. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider a number of variables when determining what and how to teach guitar to a student. First, I have to know what kind of music the student enjoys. Next, I need to know what level guitar player they are. If Im teaching a beginning guitarist, I will typically spend a majority of the lesson utilizing fun methods to build basic technique. If a student doesnt have a technical foundation, it may not benefit them to present them with music theory in the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Looking back over my professional career -- which includes several public relations, marketing and advertising positions -- my favorite and most rewarding activities have centered around music. Whenever possible, I use my own method, which includespromoting spatial relationships and patterns. Although composition is not my specialty, I certainly can do the basics and then point them to a more accomplished musician. 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

For beginning and intermediate students I utilize the Bastien Method books series, which includes supplemental Theory and Technique books that can be purchased if needed.  These students each select performance pieces which they enjoy and are level-appropriate from a variety of sources. More advanced students focus primarily on challenging performance pieces, several of which are selected as 'keepers' for practice and review.  Lessons include technique practice (scales, arpeggios, finger exercises), theory (from textbooks, flashcards etc.) music history, instrument mechanics, ear training and musicianship (such as rhythm and sight reading drills, dictation) and student compositions (notation and continuation methods). Read More