Music Lessons in Jennings, MO

Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard

Some examples would be Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, Jerry Lee Lewis, Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown), Keith Jarrett, and Otis Spann. I consider myself a bit of a "late bloomer". I didn't start playing piano seriously until I was 16 years old, but a lot of hard work has gotten me to this point, and I am excited to continue to hopefully inspire others and help them love all types of music! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with note naming and sound. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. My goal in my method is to get my students fluent in playing the piano and knowing the methods of piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. I will have you have an assignment notebook where I write what your "sticker song" will be for the following week; this way it's clear what your assignment is. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I began teaching during pedagogy classes at the University of Illinois. I've continued to teach piano whenever possible during other careers. (I also have a degree in journalism and communications, so I've worked as a writer, editor, public relations director and related fields). It's important that students have fun while learning, and I attempt to engage them as much as I can in endeavors they enjoy. I love seeing laughter and joywhen someone masters amusicproblem which with they previously struggled. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Classical Guitar

I love Faber and Faber for piano. I have several very young students doing the series for preschoolers. These materials are supplemented with Keith Snell's literature books. All students do at least one duet per year and two recitals.I love to take students as far as they can go in their lesson books and then back that up with the technic books, which are generally a bit easier. That helps with pacing the lessons and it pads the practice times. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar

The fundamentals of playing are a great place to start with any lessons. Working with scales, breathing, and intonation are among those fundamentals that help build up ones playing at the strongest points. From there, it is important to incorporate those into etudes and solos, learning how they function within written pieces. Another important aspect of successful lessons, I believe, is giving the student a choice. Working with solos and topics they are interested in help make the environment more open and available for progression. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe that private, individual lessons are the only way for a music student to become good pianists, learn at their own speed, and learn all the different parts of music that need to be learned. Students that take class lessons have to go along with the speed of the class, and does not get challenged. MY teaching style is to push the motivated student to want to learn more. Read More