Music Lessons in Grand Rapids, OH

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Bass Guitar Synthesizer Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I take the great things about the Suzuki Method and use them (fun, creativity, by-ear learning, group jams). Then I take the things I don't like about the method and disregard them (pre-established repetoire, no composition or improv). I teach kids how to concentrate, how to teach themselves, how to ignore distractions, and the philosophy for joyful performance without nervousness. The result has been that I have trained hundreds of children to have fun playing music well, plus four of my child students have become national acts. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching privately in my sophomore year of high school. I had always known that I wanted to become a music teacher, but this is the time of my life when I really started discovering my potential in the education community. Students that I have worked with have achieved Superior Ratings in OMEA Solo and Ensemble events, have been part of various honor bands and extra-curricular groups. My goal is to get students to become independent in their musicianship, learn how music can effect everyday life, and how they can share the joy of music with others. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I keep it light and simple. In lessons, I am a listener as well as a teacher. I use the students own words to work through music. I encourage students to focus on what things feel like, and describe them, so that we can focus on what is working well! After a few general lessons, I work with the student to set realistic goals for themselves, not only per project, but per lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I'm a passionate soprano currently studying at The College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University. I graduated with my bachelors degree from Aurora University in May of 2015, and I just completed the first year of my masters degree. I am actively performing in the university's Opera Theatre productions and also was a member of The University Choral Society this past year. Next year, I will continue to be very involved in The College of Musical Arts. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are completely new to the world of music, I typically start them with exercises and theory found in Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This introduces them to the foundations of the guitar, such as basic chords, chord progressions, and the musical alphabet. Once they have the necessary understanding of the fundamentals, I then like to find out what music the student is interested in learning and apply these foundations in musical pieces they are familiar with. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I believe that every student's learning should be catered to for their individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses. Approaching every student as if they are different than the one previously ensures that there is assessment of needs in every lesson. I believe that every student regardless of their ability level will learn something, and should have the opportunity to learn music. Usually for my younger students, we start with whatever book they are learning from in school, and focus on one new scale or two every week depending on how quickly they advance. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe patience coupled with encouragement can be a recipe for success. When the student develops their own passion for music and their instrument their abilities tend to soar. I attempt to set realistic goals for the student but I am very adaptable and flexible. I still remember being able to strum my first song on the guitar. After that I was hooked! I believe in understanding the fundamentals and learning the technical aspects are important, however I have seen firsthand how enjoying music and the instrument and being able to play a song and not just a scale can lead to an increased desire to play and learn more. Read More