Music Lessons in Downtown, MN

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium Mallet Percussion

One of my biggest strengths as a music teacher is figuring out students' learning styles and differentiating instruction accordingly. I absolutely do not use a cookie cutter approach. I am very good at personalizing lessons to fit students' interests and needs. I feel it is important to allow each student to learn at his or her own pace. I set goals that will challenge the student, but be easily attainable with regular practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello

I started playing the piano when I was 7 and the cello when I was 8. I took lessons in both instruments growing up, adding playing the guitar in High School and the violin in college. In public and private schools, have taught elementary classroom music, elementary orchestra, and High School Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Voice Saxophone Clarinet

For students of all levels, I emphasize the fundamentals. No matter what style our focus is in, the development of scales, chord progressions, modes and technique patterns are universal. I incorporate solo literature early and often and work with the students to play the music that they listen to every day. We develop the students ear through weekly memorization of music the student enjoys on a daily basis. This allows us to branch into more advanced literature with a deeper understanding of what makes a style, a style. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

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 students' desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs... Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For my advanced students (18+), depending on how advanced they are, I start them in the "First Book of _______ Solos" series. This series covers singing in English as well as several other languages and provides a good foundation for singing. Anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis. For younger brass students (10-14) I would teach out of the Standard of Excellence Books unless they are more advanced where I would start them in the Arbans Book, Robert Getchell Book, and/or Schlossberg Book. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

I have been teaching trombone since the summer of 2011, and have also taught some euphonium/baritone and tuba lessons as well. I desire to help students grow in their love of music, and to help them to be self-motivated. It is my responsibilityfor 30-60 minutes a weekto teach a student how to improve, but it is up to the student to improve and learn the rest of the week. If the only thing a student learns is responsibility, then I have done my job. Read More