Music Lessons in Crete, IL

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

My mindset when it comes to teaching is that if you are not having fun with music, then I am doing my job wrong. Everyone learns differently and wants to learn different styles of music. So each student gets a completely personalized lesson plan to fit their wants and needs. I encourage all my students to take things slow and to not get discouraged if they don’t get something right away. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I am goofy kind of gal who is a kid at heart so, while I do not allow the students to goof-off during practice, I definitely encourage the children to have fun and take breaks. Learning a new skill is taxing on the brain so I do enjoy inserting some brain-breaks here and there, when necessary. I'm also a very big sticker advocate! Most children enjoy them, and I love rewarding them after completing a song we've been working on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

George teaches from the Hal Leonard Piano Series and focuses on sight reading, technique, theory, and performance. For advanced students, he encourages performance, ensemble playing, and group competitions.I have also used other piano methods that includes the Royal Conservatory Piano Series, the Suzuki Method for piano, and Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber. For technique, I use the Keith Snell Series for scales and finger exercises, the Hanon Series, and Carl Czerny. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

During my undergrad, I have consistently taught private lessons as a part time violin instructor. After I moved to Madison, I had the chance to teach college students violin lessons and coach chamber groups in high schools through the outreach program at school. I strongly recommend students to practice every day even though it is only short amount of time. I have found if students get familiar with the instrument and learning materials, as a result, they would make good progress, feel motivate to continue to learn and enjoy playing the instruments. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I tend to like the average guitar method book for it will usually consists of the fundamentals of music as well as left and righthand technique and also songs and pieces that are a part of the development process. My favorite courses are by Julio Sagreras and Fernando Sor for classical. Otherwise Gibson Guitar methods are excellent for a variety of levels and styles. I also like to write out lessons as well. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

Teaching a student a standard of excellence in fundamentals, listening, self analysis and musical logic is at the core of our journey together. Rather than simply copy my demonstrations, I engage students to make decisions at every step of their study, regardless of their age and ability. There is no one size fits all methodology to teaching and mastery does not happen overnight. Students come to me at different levels and absorb information differently, I believe in coaching my students towards discovering their own personal connection to the music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

To me, the most important thing about teaching is listening to a student's goals and interests. I do my best to keep my ears open as we work to make sure I am structuring a program that helps them feel fulfilled and challenged every step of the way. For younger students, the goal is to keep them engaged in music until the point when they have such mastery that they can see the results of their work tangibly. Read More