Music Lessons in Rio Verde, AZ

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My goal in teaching is to help the student develop confidence by developing skill as a musician. Once the student realizes how to gain confidence through practice, he or she will create a healthy habit of successful learning that can transfer to any field of education. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Anybody can learn a few chords but its about how you play those chords and riffs. I'm a firm believer that as guitarists we are to internalize the music. If a guitarist doesn't feel what he's doing then why would the crowd? I'm also a positive reinforcement type of person in general. Regardless of what it is, people need to be encouraged. Playing guitar, even for somebody who is completely in love with playing, can be extremely frusterating at times. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion Oboe English Horn Keyboard

My beginning students usually start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements, Accents on Achievements, Do It Play In Band, and much more. Once my student is able to grasp basic fundamentals and a healthy proper tone and technique, I will then be able to incorporate solo repertoire for future recitals and contests. For adults, I will find out what interests my students and coordinate my lessons accordingly to keep the lesson engaging and fun. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I was a guest lecturer at the Fredrick Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and did an exciting multi-city tour as featured soloist with the Polish National Military Band and Performed for the Polish/U.S. Embassy. While in Poland I also performed concerts, clinics and taught master classes at the Jelania-Gora Philharmonia Complex and Warsaw.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              In the drum & bugle corps field, I marched with and taught the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, and I've taught, written, or consulted for the National Champion Chicago Royal Airs, the National Champion Argonne Rebels From Great Bend Kansas, the Santa Clara Vanguard, the 2002 Royal Air Reunion corps and many others. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

I have had the privilage to teach many great students who have developed into fantastic percussionists. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to have been an influence inthat development. My approach to teaching includes more than just instruction on how to do things right, I also focus a lot of instruction on how to practice. It doesn't matter who you are, in order to learn an insrument is takes practice, and improper practice can only get disouraging. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons during my summers off from college, just a few students at a time.  Since beginning my teaching career, my focus has shifted slightly to group piano classes, while still teaching privately after school.  I have been a student of private instruction since the age of three, and my experiences in my private lessons have shaped the way I structure my own lessons for students.  I firmly believe that my students need to not only study solo repertoire, but also that they spend some time every week focusing on technical exercises to solidify their musical foundation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

For beginning students, I prefer the Alfred Piano Method, in my opinion, it's a very thorough course, and offers many benefits for the beginning student. for my intermediate and advanced students, I use a variety of teaching materials, depending on the style of muisc I'm teaching, inciluding music books, videos, and audio recordings. I try to find out what my students are interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their ability level is. Read More