Music Lessons in Old Mill Creek, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

I can remember the first time I heard the music of John Coltrane. I was thirteen and had just begun learning saxophone. His music was deeply moving and inspired me to pursue a life of music - specifically jazz saxophone. Best decision I've ever made! I graduated from Western Michigan University with a BM in Jazz Saxophone Performance. While in school I had the privilege of sharing the stage with many jazz greats including Bobby McFerrin, Randy Brecker, Stefon Harris, Fred Hersch, and many more. Read More

Instruments: Piano

An important component in my teaching process is assessment. First I need to understand long-term goals of the student. What does "taking piano lessons" mean to you. If you want to learn piano and go through Bach preludes and Brahms reductions great! But that is not the entire scope of what private lessons can offer an individual. Often the student doesn't know what specifically excites him/her. For younger students especially, broadening horizons is important. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Music Keyboard

Luke’s Lutheran Church Concert Series, and the CCPA Guitar Ensemble. My academic endeavors include primary research on Marta Gentilucci conducted with Eastman School of Music at IRCAM in Paris, France. Rebecca will be continuing her research on Post-Spectralist vocal practices along with performing new works by living composers at the N.E.O. Voice Festival next summer. I have also premiered works by composers such as Scott Havener and Nicolas Turnbrrez. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My teaching experience first began with myself when I had to relearn how to play the violin. With years of bad technique and no discipline, I learned I had to find a new approach to violin playing. With the help of a great teacher, I was able to transform every poor habit into a great one. After going through the process myself I decided I want to give to students what my teacher gave to me: a refined and specific approach to violin playing. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

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 t find out what inspires the atudent, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching approach focuses primarily on tone production - I think this is the most important fundament to teach young students. I like to use the Hal Leonard Essential Elements or equivalent beginner book (Hovey, Rubank for clarinet) to start the student off, but as they become more advanced, it's important to introduce repertoire to them. I allow the student some individuality here - what kind of music would they like to play? Read More

Instruments: Voice

My teaching style is basically giving personalized voice lessons to each student according to their goals and musical interests. I will customize each lesson according to this common ground. I usually will spend 50% of the lesson in vocal technique and the other 50% applying the vocal technique to the repertoire the student is working on. Sometimes this will vary according to the specific needs of the student. Their might be for example a deadline to prepare for an audition, or to perform in a recording, so we might warm up the voice in that case and go directly to working on the repertoire. Read More