Music Lessons in El Mirage, AZ

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For Beginning piano students, I often use the Piano Adventures series. For younger beginners, I tend to enjoy The Music Tree books. For intermediate students, I like the Celebration Series. For beginning violin and viola students, I use All for Strings first, then followed by I Can Read Music paired with Suzuki Book 1. As students advance in their piano or string studies, we eventually step away from method books and study staple, classic repertoire by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. for each lesson, I write custom lessons plans based on the student's needs and interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Once a lesson plan has been established with a student, I progress them through each lesson with specific goals. My goal is to infuse the student with understanding but also wonder and awe as to how music is created. There is always something worth praising in a student, and I am always sure to do that in our lessons after every performance. I always make sure we discuss (1) what did we like about that performance, and (2) what are things we could do to make it better. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

I began teaching private lessons about 25 years ago, after I had been hired to work with the drumlines for two different high schools. My first student was in one of the drumlines that I taught, and my second student was referred to me by the band director of another school, after seeing my drumline in competition. Since then, I have taught more students than I can count. Most students have been middle and high school age, but I have had lots of fun teaching students as young as 5 years old, and adults who always wished they had learned to play the drums.I have found that the best way to motivate students is tostart by teaching themto play the kind of music they like most, and then introduce them to other styles later.Lessons are always fun, and catered to the student's needs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

With young students, I allow myself to be a bit more comprehensive in that I can start from the very basics from the beginning and even come up with simple games with rhythm, basic ear training and reading notation. The big challenge with young players is the actual act of physically playing the guitar and I encourage parents to invest in a quality instrument that is easy to play. I try and get my older children and teenagers to try and play as early as possible to develop a passion for the instrument, but not before building an understanding of the basics. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Anybody can learn a few chords but its about how you play those chords and riffs. I'm a firm believer that as guitarists we are to internalize the music. If a guitarist doesn't feel what he's doing then why would the crowd? I'm also a positive reinforcement type of person in general. Regardless of what it is, people need to be encouraged. Playing guitar, even for somebody who is completely in love with playing, can be extremely frusterating at times. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar

I generally like to start my beginning students with lesson plans from the book" The Secrets of playing Piano by Ear" by Jermaine Griggs. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I try to focus on what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lesson fresh and FUN! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a unique teacher who realizes that not every student is the same, or wants to learn the same type of music in the same way. I almost consider myself more of a COACH than a teacher. Yes, I do teach, and I am classically trained. However, I am more suited for the beginning/intermediate/late intermediate student (13 years of age or older) who wants to learn NEW ways of playing and performing a variety of music. Read More