Music Lessons in Rockwall, TX

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

As a flute player, where would we be without the teachings of Trevor Wye, Marcel Moyse, Paul Taffanel and Philippe Gaubert? Of course, I will start by determining where they are at, a test, so to say. For the beginners, I like to start with the Trevor Wye beginners books. As they grow more advanced, we will look at separate books such as the 24 melodic studies by Moyse and intermediate books that are also by Wye. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For my beginner saxophone students we will start by assembling the instrument and using the Hal Leonard's Essential Elements to learn the basic fingerings and songs. As for my beginner piano students we will start off with the Faber Piano Adventures book and work our way through the lessons. Once the student becomes more comfortable with their instruments we will start introducing appropriate solo repertoire and find songs that the individual student would enjoy learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I started studying piano in my early teens and have continued studying all of my life.  Even to this day I still practice 30-45 minutes every morning.  I have played professionally all of my life as an accompanist for vocal and instrumental soloists, and having taught high school choral music for over 20 years, accompanied a variety of vocal ensembles.  I have performed for weddings, banquets, parties, and civic gatherings, and have been my church's pianist and chief musician for the past 15 years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Every person has different strengths, weaknesses, motivators, and goals. I like to keep all of these things in mind before I start designing a lesson plan for each person. I like to make sure that I am teaching both the ear to listen and the eye to read, so I make sure I can improve the development of both by providing effective sight=reading and aural exercises in every lesson. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have been teaching private voice since 1991.  Along with teaching privately out of my home, over the years I have served on faculty as an adjunct voice professor at the college and university level, and have taught private voice in school districts for their junior high and high school choirs.  My own children study with me and are performing regularly in musical theater productions and choirs.  I love helping singers discover their beautiful, God-given singing voice and watching it blossom as they consistently practice and apply the techniques. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Additionally, I like to work with scales and long tones in a more advanced way, expanding the range of the instrument and tone quality as we prepare repertoire. With students interested in jazz, either as their primary course of study or in addition to classical music, we focus even more on scales and arpeggios, aiming to master first the most commonly used keys and then expanding to 12 key mastery. I like to begin with a play-along book like Jamey Aebersold's "Maiden Voyage", stressing the beginnings of improvisation, then moving on to more advanced tunes and chord progressions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

As a teacher my goal is not to simply teach a student how to play or sing a certain song. My goal is to teach my students how to use the discipline of music to help them to develop their character. To that end I emphasize learning music fundamentals well and being able to put them into practice playing or singing in public at every opportunity. I also believe that playing with other musicians helps students to solidify their skills so I encourage them to play in an ensemble at every opportunity. Read More