Music Lessons in Castleton, IN

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar

I emphasize the importance of proper posture, technique, the ability to read music, and knowledge of the fretboard. Accordingly, I always assign students exercises meant to develop and strengthen a variety of aspects of both left-hand and right-hand technique. The pace at which we move through the exercises is dependent on the student's own level of motivation and how much practice they do. I encourage students to practice daily for at least 30 minutes, but recommend more if they wish to see more dramatic results. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

I have been teaching the flute for many years, dating back to my undergraduate college days. I taught several students that were looking to audition at the school I was at and needed additional help. I have also taught at a summer flute day camp in Michigan for 7 years, working with middle school, high school, and adult students. I currently teach beginning through high school flute students in Pendleton. Having worked with a variety of levels of students, I have a broad perspective of what students need and am flexible as far as my teaching style for each individual student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

As an adult, I have taken pedagogy with the head of the pedagogy department at Olivet Nazarene University, Piano from Dr. Karen Ball, flute from Gary Schocker, and voice lessons from members of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Always looking to improve myself through individual study, I also get excited when I learn things from my students. Music is such an exciting field to be involved in and my teaching studio reflects that - I teach many different styles, curriculums, and provide many opportunities for sharing our music outside the studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Similar to what is written above I prefer an approach that is rooted in the fundamentals. It is my belief that learning these well can serve a student later on when the music starts to become more difficult. Most students I have that have learned in this way tend to not get overwhelmed and are able to transition to higher levels of playing more easily. One of my favorite quotes is "The advanced level is mastery of the basics" which I have found to be true. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo

I start with a few different books depending on the student's interest. I try to encourage younger students to learn to read music. I have often used the Hal Leornard Guitar Method. Often adult students want to focus more on learning chords and how to play a few songs. Sometimes I use the Hal Learnard Tab Method or my own 16 page beginner's guitar book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Drums Organ Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The art form of music is both a cerebral and deepy visceral experience. And thus so I invite students to journey outward and inward to begin (or continue) studying music from both a scholastic perspective as well as treating the art form as a purely aural experience. My teaching studio enables students to take home recordings of themselves so they have an audible track record of their progress. Every student learns differently, and is born with inherently different strengths, weaknesses, rhythms, and song. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I was also was recognized as a semi-finalist in the Chopin Foundation of the United States' 2020 Competition, as well as a quarter-finalist in the Hastings International Concerto Competition, competing on scholarship after being selected as one of the top three North American candidates. In the past twelve months, I enjoyed immensely successful debuts as featured soloist with the Shreveport Symphony and Symphony New Hampshire, performing the first two piano concerti of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Read More