Music Lessons in Fort Dearborn, IL

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I am a registered Suzuki teacher through Book 3 and love teaching students of all ages and abilities. I aim to highlight the joy that learning music brings. Music has been a foundation in all facets of my life, teaching lifelong skills such as tenacity, patience, and a love for collaboration and I hope to share that with my students. I believe in building a strong foundation that leads to beautiful tone, minimal pain, and long-term enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music

Teaching is something I have always felt passionately about. I first started teaching at the age of 14, teaching martial arts to young kids nearly every day at my stepfather’s martial arts school. As I grew up and began taking music more seriously, teaching remained an important part of my life: as clarinet section leader in the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band in Hawaii, I was responsible for administering weekly lessons to other clarinet players in the band, and I also worked with several school music programs in Hawaii, developing and leading masterclasses for K-12 students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginner students that are younger, age 5 or 6, I will use the Faber primer lesson books. For older children, I like to use either Faber or Schaum Series music books. For adults I use either Faber or Alfred series music books. I purchase the books for the students and ask that the students reimburse me the cost of the books. I also will use various sheet music of favorite songs the student would be interested in. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For my beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and sometimes Lee W. Kikuchi's Musicianship for Strings. Scales and arpeggios follow shortly after. As the student progresses, I follow up with Harvey S. Whistler's Introducing the Positions (this book can also work with adults). Etude books such as Wohlfahrt and Kreutzer come into play when the student is ready. As far as repertiore, I use the first few Suzuki books and Barber's "Soloists for Young Violinists" for my younger students (the latter can also work with adults). Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Beginner students with me, no matter what age, start by studying out of the Stick Control book which has many sticking combinations for developing strong hands. It's designed for snare drum but I convert those combinations to the drum set to make unique rhythms that exercise all four limbs. I also stress rudiments for everyone, which I apply to the drum set as well to make it fun. The other aspect of drumming I work on is independence of both hands and both feet. Read More

Instruments: Piano

An important component in my teaching process is assessment. First I need to understand long-term goals of the student. What does "taking piano lessons" mean to you. If you want to learn piano and go through Bach preludes and Brahms reductions great! But that is not the entire scope of what private lessons can offer an individual. Often the student doesn't know what specifically excites him/her. For younger students especially, broadening horizons is important. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am most passionate about continuing the tradition of West African polyrhythms, so I am most eager to teach djembe. Of course, I just want to help YOU reach your musical goals whatever instrument that may be. NOTE: djembe can be loud, so if you prefer to use your space for lessons (fine with me, I have a car) make sure your neighbors are okay with it! I am currently in the process of obtaining my teaching certificate for djembe through Tam Tam Mandingue Chicago, and would love to have you be a part of that! Read More