Music Lessons in Columbia House, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

For beginning students, I like to start them off with the Essential Elements for band method books. Once they progress with those books and grasp the fundamentals, I would introduce to solo literature. For adults, I find out what they are interested in and work my way from there. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I love teaching because singing became such an important part of my life after I started taking lessons. I think students should want to practice for the joy of it, and so try to keep lessons fun and informative. I do believe in the importance of technique, however, and so try to encourage students to do short vocal exercises daily. What is most important to me is that my students are singing pieces that they enjoy and connect with. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a pianist, composer, and educator who strives to bring out the best in all my students. I have composed for film, internet, and theatrical productions and performed across the country in classical and jazz contexts. I hold a masters degree in jazz studies from the Jacobs School of Music, where I studied with Luke Gillespie, Steve Houhgton, and David Baker. In the summer of 2013 I performed with the Disneyland All-American College Band. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For 5 to 6 year old beginners, I create an individualized lesson plan based on observing the student's learning style, strengths and weaknesses as well as personality. For the first 4 or more lessons, this includes my own big-note, large-symbol work sheets and simple songs. Next, and with older or more advanced students, I use a combination of lesson, technique and performance method books (Faber, Bastien, Hal Leonard), a scale/chording book and adjunct material consisting of songs the student wants to learn such as pop/rock, movie themes, holiday and theme music, and classical, to maintain interest and enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

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. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students’ desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying t find out what inspires the atudent, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I am a certified Suzuki teacher (and a Suzuki kid myself!). I have taken Suzuki training through Book 3, though do teach books beyond that level. I have been teaching for over 10 years in all different settings-- private lessons, group classes, elementary school side-by-side programs, and love it all. I believe people of all backgrounds, whether children or adults, have the capability of learning an instrument because we all have an innate musical side to us. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My methods are based in Suzuki as I am a strong believer that students musical capabilities can be developed regardless of their musical predispositions. For beginning students that have minimal background musical knowledge, I incorporate theory and aural skill trailing into the lessons to help the students learn to read their music and apply the theoretical and technical concepts learned in each class to the repertoire studied. Both my vocal and piano lessons typically focus on technique. Read More