Music Lessons in Kailua, HI

Instruments: Drums

I feel the most important thing when teaching is making sure the student is relaxed and having fun while playing. While I stress setting goals, I also feel it's important the student is learning at a pace that's comfortable. Positivity is very important as I feel a positive atmosphere can help fuel a student's drive for success. But most importantly, I feel that humor is very important when teaching. If a student comes across a beat or method that's particularly challenging, humor can help melt away any frustration or tension the student is feeling. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I believe a well-rounded and practical approach to teaching music-- where students learn to not only read music, but also play freely with chords and scales to create their own music, learn by ear, and improvise. My goal is to help students grow so that they can play music in a personal and rewarding way, and develop the skills they need to play the songs that they love. I use both Piano Adventures and Alfred Premier method book series in my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will initiate the practice of beginning scales and arpeggios (Klengel method) to familiarize the student with major and minor scales, different scale modalities, and different key signatures. I will also start them on a progressive melodic musical method book, such as The Art of Cello Playing (Louis Potter), so that they can enjoy playing nice music pieces that could be played later in a recital. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I start with each new student by getting to know what music styles they like, what songs they want to learn, what their goals are. I work with the students to select specific songs they want to learn NOW and then I build my entire lesson plan and approach around those. Rather than start them off with drills and exercises, we immediately begin learning content that the students actually care about. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I graduated from the University of Oregon with my Ba. in music composition in 2008. After that I moved back to Hawaii where I'm from and I began teaching private lessons. I have now taught music at several schools and am currently teaching at N.H.K.S. and teaching private lessons after school. I've been teaching private lessons for over 10 years. I'm also music director of Kaneohe Covenant Baptist Church. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I find that individualizing repertoire is a powerful motivational tool as it encourages students to want to progress in order to meet the challenge of playing their preferred musical genre. To make lessons more fun and engaging for my younger students, i utilize the learning games and features that are programmed on my digital piano, Since my students enjoy them so much, I use it as a reward activity as well. Read More