Musika Quick Stats
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Music lessons in Mesa . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Voice
I encourage lots of questions from my students. I will also ask them to tell me what they felt in there voice when I ask them to do something. I believe that the voice teacher is only as good as his student can understand what they are actually being asked to do. I set goals for my students, and ask that they practice every day for at least 30 minutes on various things that I may ask them to work on such as scales or a new song ect. Read More
Instruments: Piano
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. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
The first time I taught I was about 15-years-old and it ignited a passion for sharing my musical experiences with others! I started teaching an 8-year-old and from there had the opportunity to teach people from all over the world! I've taught people from places like Tonga, Ghana, England, Wales, and China. My students have not only become better at guitar but had a great time while doing it! I've found it works best to teach the foundational skills using the students' favorite genre of music. Read More
Instruments: Piano
My experience in teaching began 15 years ago in working with church choirs and bands, and eventually becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant from 2016-2018 in the Musical Theatre Opera department at Arizona State University. I have also taught at Childsplay in Tempe, AZ as a Music Director. As a piano performer, my experience has truly crossed all genres, ranging from performing in high-level jazz ensembles such as the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 as piano soloist with symphony orchestra. Read More
Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Euphonium Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe
As I first approach a new student, my first question to them is "why drums?". From that response I have a better idea of where this student is most comfortable for playing. Their genre of musical listening is a strong consideration of the styles they would enjoy learning. By finding their strong points of playing building an individual curriculum for that student gives them a better opportunity to become a player to the best of their abilities. Read More
Instruments: Piano
Teaching experience: Shirley has taught lessons for the Institute of Music Education in Scottsdale and Milano's in Mesa. She is willing to teach children at a minimum age of 5 years old, teens, and adults of all ages. In addition, to learning songs, she initiates exercises to improve her students technical skills and chord / scale knowledge which will give each student a solid foundation for growth potential. She can also help with performance suggestions, songwriting, music theory, sight-reading etc. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I feel it is important to address each students learning style on an individual level. For young children and beginner's, I pull from resources that encourage basic fundamentals, not inclusive or limited to, Bastein, Alfred, Faber & Faber, and Hal Leonard. According to one's ability and interest, Hanon, Sonatina's Sonata's, familiar and classic's, are encouraged. Different genre's are used as part of performance and support in teaching a theory, technic, ear/sight reading, or performance application. Read More
Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Absolutely. My mother is a music teacher, my father is a worship leader. My brother plays in a church band, and my sister is a vocalist who has won honors at the state level.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I play the saxophone and clarinet in equal measure and have been doing so for years. I started with the sax at 10, but then moved to clarinet after a teacher suggested it. I kept up with both in college, and now I can teach both.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
This is a hard question for any well rounded musician, but I do truly love playing jazz, rock, and classical. They all share many qualities, and there are pieces of each kinds of style in the other ones.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
For both the saxophone and clarinet, playing the super high notes quietly and in tune present the hardest challenges. Anyone can blare a note, but true skill comes from playing the hard to reach notes with subtlety and precision.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Right now it is the sax solo from Carole King's "Jazzman." To me it is the quintessential sax solo. It features wailing high notes and command of rhythm, and I hope to play it as well as it appears on the album one day.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I had to learn to play saxophone in a few months to be in my college jazz band. I had planned to play clarinet when I got there, but the professor asked my if I could play sax instead. A few weeks later I had my saxophone and was learning how to play on the run. By the Christmas concert, I had the music under my fingers, and I was able to play in the band every semester afterwards.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose the saxophone because of the saxophone solo in Gene Rafferty's 'Baker Street' as well as from hearing a very gifted player at my church growing up.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I had my mother. She showed my siblings and me the joy of making music as a family, and then she allowed us to explore our own musical tastes as we grew into adults. Now my siblings and I are all musicians, and while we have some very different tastes, we all still love music.
When will I start to see results?
This is unique to every student, and talent plays a factor in this answer, but students tend to see results in direct correlation to how much time and effort they put into practice. Students who make consistent, reasonable practice time a part of their every day routine will see vastly better results than a student who uses rehearsal to "practice" or tries to cram hours of preparation time into the day before a rehearsal or tutoring session.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If the child expresses true joy at the opportunity of making music with their instrument of choice, that is a good indication they are ready for music lessons. Another good indication is personal discipline in other areas of life, such as doing homework, taking care of chores, and maintaining personal hygiene. A child who cannot take care of these things will likely not have the discipline to persevere past the first few lessons.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Recognize that while practice does not always have to be fun, it needs to be meaningful. True improvement happens when the student is alone, and intentionally practicing with the goal of being better prepared for rehearsal or a music lesson with an instructor will be a great motivation for the student.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided to pursue professional musicianship after leaving the journalism world in Winter 2019. I had the opportunity to play in a variety show as a sax and clarinet player, and I truly enjoyed the experience.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Music lessons in Mesa to students of all ages and abilities.
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