Music Lessons in Highland, MN

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

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello

I try to strike a balance between music lessons being serious and being fun. I expect my students to practice almost every day and I expect that the parents will be part of keeping them accountable for scheduling that practicing. Lessons are a combination of learning technical skills and learning songs, which usually are mostly classical songs with a few contemporary songs thrown in for motivation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For my advanced students (18+), depending on how advanced they are, I start them in the "First Book of _______ Solos" series. This series covers singing in English as well as several other languages and provides a good foundation for singing. Anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis. For younger brass students (10-14) I would teach out of the Standard of Excellence Books unless they are more advanced where I would start them in the Arbans Book, Robert Getchell Book, and/or Schlossberg Book. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My teaching style is simple! I make having fun the most important part, especially for beginners because no one wants to do anything that isn't fun! It was the same for me when I started learning tennis. I ensure first that a student has a general grasp on basic scales and mechanics that are essential for the trumpet and afterwards I like to look into other components of the trumpet such as intonation, trumpet concertos and more advanced concepts such as attacks, soft/loud, playing higher, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

My experiences teaching are fundamentally positive in nature. I know each student is different and unique in his or her way. I also teach lessons in German and/or English as needed. Setting a goal at the first lesson is important to me. I provide recitals twice a year for both strings and piano. For piano I offer a grand piano sent back from Vienna, refurbished and beautiful in tone. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Music Keyboard

"There's a difference between playing the notes and MAKING the MUSIC" Wanna know the secrets? I've played the piano since I was 7. Gosh....that's long ago. Sax since 4th grade. I've been performing and teaching private lessons for 35+ years. Many notables; The Temptations, Shirelles, Martha Reeves, Peter Noone ( Hermans Hermits ),Inauguration in 2005 for President Bush at Union station on CNN, many more. University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas with Dr. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginners, particularly children, I use the Suzuki method due to the emphasis on learning the instrument before learning how to read notes. I do this in part because, regardless of method, listening to experts play pieces that you are working on is a big part of string playing, and the Suzuki method has become standardized enough that the beginner and intermediate pieces have readily available recordings. Once a baseline of the instrument is established, I add outside repertoire and workbooks. Read More