Music Lessons in Elmwood Park, IL

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

I do not believe in the "cookie-cutter" teaching method, which means that I do not utilize the same teaching method with every student. I realize that each student is a unique individual with different learning preferences. With each student, I design a different approach that caters to the student's needs. Also, I do not have a set curriculum and with each student, I will set up an individualized plan. Some method books I use include: Faber Faber, John Thompson Piano Course, and the Suzuki Method. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

About me? Well I'm a driven man who works hard and will work harder to see my students succeed. I started playing the trumpet in middle school and fell in love with the instrument. Since then I've advanced my studies through high school and college by playing in all sorts of bands and genres. During my time in some of these bands I've been deemed lead trumpet player of jazz big bands and principle trumpet player in orchestras and wind ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Music Keyboard

I am a singer-songwriter, music educator, and actress from Chicago! I have always incorporated music into my life. My parents put me into violin and piano lessons when I was only four years old! When I was about twelve, I began to do musical theatre and then joined the award-winning group Musicality in high school. Throughout my time at Musicality, I grew from alternate, to member, to staff member, to associate director, and now to producer. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I firmly believe that nurturing passion for music and the drums is the ultimate goal of any private instructor. As such, I prioritize student agency to make their own musical journey. My role is to make this journey as smooth and efficient as possible by providing the appropriate materials and guidance. Though I always provide plenty of materials to enrich a student in between lessons, I don't enforce a particular practice schedule, nor do I ever scold students for meeting any "standard". Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute

For beggining students in guitar or piano, I would have them start with a basic beggining book such as something by hal leonard. With guitar I will teach basic chords and go from there to working on songs. Scales and chords will be a big part of beggining work in these instruments. As for Saxophone, I will usually begin with scales and long tone work- the later being something extremely important. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums

I began teaching in high school with middle school percussion ensembles, drum lines, and several private students. In college when I wasnt studying, performing or rehearsing, I was teaching and being taught. I taught privately in my home studio as well as several lesson studios in and around the North Texas area for 4 years before moving to Chicago where I've continued to teach and perform full time. I encourage a regular practice routine as well as regualr lesson attendance especially when it comes to younger students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

Onside of this, I've taught percussion ensembles to local middle schools such as Mokena and Manhattan Jr. High. Additionally, I've taught 8 marching band ensembles and am currently writing music for some of those. Nowadays, I'm a student at NIU in my last year of study and look forward to rebuilding a studio of young professional musicians here in Dekalb. -Chicago Bulls NBA active drummer for 6 years -Performed at Lollapalooza this last summer with electronic artist Ekoli -Marched 3 years in Phantom Regiment Drum Corp. on snare and was drum captain in 2015 -Marched 1 year in Colts Drum Corp. on snare -Performed 5 year in WGI group Cavaliers Indoor Percussion -Played at PASIC in Indy this past winter with NIU Percussion studio -4 years drumming improv. for NIU dance classes -Played tenors at NIU in the marching band -Played in jazz combos at NIU Teaching: -Taught Shadow Drum Corp. 2 years -I've been teaching private lessons for 10 years now -Taught Middle School Percussion Ensemble -Battery Caption head at LWMB and Wheaton Warrenville south as well as other places over the years such as Lake Park, Plainfield -Taught in Music Matters music shop Let me know if you'd like to know more and I hope you consider my expertise. Read More