Music Lessons in Farmington, MN

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

I am familiar with all teaching methods, both American and European. I use the combination of both. In general I teach scales, reading music, learning to sight read, metronme training, along with muscle development and strengthening. I teach all styles of music for both strings and piano and have had very successful students young and old. Specifically for violin, I teach the Dounis method for more advanced students preparing for auditions, scholarships etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Lesson plans are catered to the needs and level of each individual student. For younger students with maturing voices, I generally work on basic technique like breathing and posture. I will teach solfege and simple songs that help develop the young singer's ear and a relationship to their voice. For more mature voices, typically above the age of 16, I begin to approach more technical areas of singing like vowel formation, breath energy and management, agility, legato, vocal registration, and a more detailed understanding of the physical anatomy behind singing. Read More

Instruments: Piano

It is often difficult to choose just the right method book for each student. I most often choose the Alfred series for both beginner's and adults, as I like how in that series the student not only develops the necessary skills but also learns about how music works. I also like very much the Piano Town series and have used it with success. For more intermediate and advanced students, I strive to get a sense of the type of music and pieces the student enjoys the most and try to assign their repertoire accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Each student needs a long-term goal in mind for where they want their voice to be. I like to start out by setting a couple realistic goals for the long-term with my students, then breaking those goals down into manageable steps each associated with one or two pieces. I also want students to know that they are accomplishing their goals, so I have my students tape lessons and listen back later to hear their progress. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass French Horn

For beginning horn students I use the Rubank method as well as my own combination of etudes. Once the student has a solid understanding of the fundamentals a regimine of solos and etudes will be assigned, followed by the standard solo repertoire. For bass and guitar students I have my own method book that focuses on music theory, technique, as well as improvisation. I strongly believe in adapting my materials and method to best suit the student and the students need, I will work to help you achieve your goals! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I teach students technique, theory, Classical repertoire, and also whichever contemporary pieces they would like to learn. I can learn almost any style and teach it by ear. So in a typical lesson we will start with some scales or technique, move on to some Bach or Mozart, and then try something by ear. Some examples of songs I’ve been working on with students lately are: Chopin c minor Waltz, Sibelius opus 76 Etude, Prince purple rain, Motley Crew home sweet home, Duke Ellington A train, and La Nieve-which my own composition- But classical training is the basis where it all starts Read More