Music Lessons in El Mirage, AZ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard

Originating from East Chicago, IN, I've known since 3rd grade that I wanted to build a career in music. Over the years I've been able to find my niche, and focus on engineering, composing, and playing live. I've recently come to really enjoy teaching. I find pure joy in watching students make even the slightest improvements (provided they practice :). Everyone that I've taught has walked away with a better understanding of music, empowering them to advance in ways they would otherwise not be able to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I write all my own lesson materials focusing on what the student needs to know to play, understand, and enjoy music to achieve their goals. I have used several method books in the past but find them all limited or focused on styles or technique that is not what the student wants or needs to learn. I can teach from any established method if that is preferred, but instead enjoy challenging the student to understand what music is and how music is played on their chosen instrument, not just to read. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

For beginning students, I prefer the Alfred Piano Method, in my opinion, it's a very thorough course, and offers many benefits for the beginning student. for my intermediate and advanced students, I use a variety of teaching materials, depending on the style of muisc I'm teaching, inciluding music books, videos, and audio recordings. I try to find out what my students are interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their ability level is. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

My first paid performance on drums, took place at the age of 8. Since then I have continued to perform study under a wide variety of instructors, stages, studios venues. Having studied music thoery, rehearsing with many other performers has allowed me to perform in a variety of venues. In Los Angeles I studied with The best available teachers: Kay Carldon Richad Wilson. Kay, I started with, taught reading various genre skills. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

For beginning students that are in middle or high school, I typically start them out learning snare drum technique, and reading rhythms. Fortechnique I will use standard exercises and rudiments, and for readingI will use "Syncopation for The Modern Drummer".If the student has a drumset then I will start them with some basic "Rock" beatsas a tool to help thembetter understand the subdivision of time, and form some independence.Most of my students move into Gary Chester's "The New Breed" as their first drumset book.After teaching for 25 years, I have developed a lot of my own lesson meterials, and I try to cater the lesson plans to both challenge the students and keep them having fun learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I absolutely love watching a student who has tried to understand a concept suddenly light up, smile, and say, "Oh, now I get it!" I believe that a teacher should try a variety of ways to help a student understand and "own" their musical knowledge. I set high standards for my students, starting where they are and encourgaing them to go beyond what they think is their personal best. I have students write goal and wish lists down throughout the year, setting small, reachable goals and then larger goals that may take longer to reach. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Music

I am a driven musician and teacher who has been studying and performing music for over 15 years. I recently graduated from SUNY Purchase in New York with a degree in trombone, and I decided to shift gears and move out to Arizona to pursue my masters degree in music composition. Growing up in New York City, I have performed on some of the greatest stages in the world, such as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, and I have studied under some of the best musicians in my field. Read More