Music Lessons in Pleasant Ridge, MI

Instruments: Voice Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have been teaching private lessons since 2009. I specialize in commercial styles (pop, rock, jazz, country, etc.) as well as musical theater. I encourage creativity with my students and through unusual means I have found success in getting those good habits down. As a songwriter and long time frontman I support and help with my students desire to write their own music and find their performance style. My students in Nashville('10-'18) joked I give rockstar lessons not voice lessons. Read More

Instruments: Flute Ukulele Keyboard

For beginner's I tend to start with lesson books, especially Hal Leonard's Essential Elements because that's what I learned from! I move up from there and like to teach lessons from all different types of genre's and also teach different techniques such as vibrato, jazz flute, etc. Scales and warm-up's are an essential part of every lesson and I always do them no matter what age student I am teaching! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is to help one discover a love for music. When I was learning, the best way I got excited was by learning through what I liked. That helped me get excited for playing music, and more interested in learning the complexities in music. By acknowledging what the student likes and their strengths, I can help focus them on how to reach the dreams they desire. I give my students a positive attitude with no judgement of their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I believe in the "one thing" lesson. If a student can improve on just one thing in a lesson than that lesson was successful. My past students would probably say I am overall a nice guy but incredibly picky when it comes to perfecting a piece and hold each of my students to a very high standard. I try to give immediate and concrete feedback at all times and my students know to ask for clarification if they need to. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I began studying voice prior to college with world renowned teacher, Helen Boatwright in Syracuse, NY. This training was classical. Loving jazz, I started also to sing with Dianna Spradling at Syracuse University. Soon after, I decided to go to college for musical theatre at The Boston Conservatory where I continued my studies with Walter Boyce and Robert Honeysucker, both of whom used a more classical technique. Through the years as a performer, I have worked with many coaches and teachers short term in NY and LA. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

During the first lesson I have the student sing (if it is a vocal lesson) their favorite song so I can hear them. After that i use my keyboard and take the student through some excersizes to really home in on that range. I listen for qualities and we discuss the positives and what improvements are needed. After the first lesson we choose music: a classical art song book and theory book of my choosing, and a songbook of the student's choosing. Read More