Music Lessons in Kansas City, KS

Instruments: Piano Violin Fiddle

My teaching does not only focus on students' violin playing skills, but also their aural skills and musicianship. I strongly believe that ear training benefits a student's overall musical development. My lessons typically involve listening and singing on top of regular violin playing. I also love playing simple duets with my students during lessons, so that they feel comfortable collaborating with other musicians. For beginners, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I start with the "I Can Read Music" and Suzuki Book 1. I am not a certified Suzuki teacher, nor do I teach in sync with the Suzuki style, but I do use the Suzuki book repertoire as I like the progression of ideas presented in the series. For middle school and high school students, I often work on all-district and all-state audition repertoire, prepare the students for school orchestra playing exams, or help them with tricky spots in their school orchestra pieces. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began playing guitar when I was 15, and it became an immediate obsession. Starting with rock and roll with bands like Nirvana and Sublime, I garnered a deep love for classic rock, specifically the bands Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Doors among many others. Early on, it became apparent that I wanted to pursue a career in music, and while still in high school, I began learning classical guitar, and jazz. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

The method book I begin younger students on is Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber. There are 5 Level books to complete. We use the lesson book, as well as the technique book. I also supplement with solo repertoire and various materials. For the older beginner, I use Alfred's Basic Adult All-In-One Course, as well as supplemental solo repertoire. Music theory is essential in my studio, and I use various learning tools to teach theory. iPad apps, worksheets, games and manipulatives are a few examples. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I’m a recent college graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. I started taking piano lessons when I was eight years old, and continued lessons through high school and for a few semesters in college. I started singing in choir when I was 10 years old, and have been in one or more choirs ever since! I started taking private voice lessons in high school and decided to choose voice as my college major. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have been playing drums for 20 years and teaching for over 10 years. I've performed professionally all across the United States, including both coasts and throughout the midwest. In high school, I began teaching by showing my peers how to improve on their percussion instruments. Since then, it's been my lifelong endeavor to continue to improve, both as a musician and an educator. It is important for me to continue to learn, grow and perform in order to best help my students. Read More

Instruments: Drums

With my beginning students, I would start them off with a method book that would teach them the basic fundamentals of playing the drum set. I have many books, and I recommend certain books based on what the student wants to learn. Once they master the fundamentals, I would introduce them to solos and charts for performance practice. For adults, I would base my lessons on their interests, keep my students engaged in their lessons, and have fun in the process. Read More