Music Lessons in Scottsdale, AZ

Instruments: Flute Harp Recorder Piccolo

Playing/singing music is the goal but just working on the ability to play/sing a piece is only half the battle. The instrument is owed attention. Without good, solid technique acquired from scales, exercises, balance/hand position, etc., a partnership with the instrument cannot develop. Without that partnership, performance will be proficient at best; the magic will be missing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My goal for the initial meeting with a student is to know what their joy and passion is with music. What is their creative spark? Why do they want to learn to play piano? I then evaluate their listening skills, rhythm skills, hand and eye coordination, motor abilities, and improvisational skills. I ask them to share what style of music they enjoy listening to and if they are open to creating their own song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I absolutely love watching a student who has tried to understand a concept suddenly light up, smile, and say, "Oh, now I get it!" I believe that a teacher should try a variety of ways to help a student understand and "own" their musical knowledge. I set high standards for my students, starting where they are and encourgaing them to go beyond what they think is their personal best. I have students write goal and wish lists down throughout the year, setting small, reachable goals and then larger goals that may take longer to reach. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

I began teaching private lessons about 25 years ago, after I had been hired to work with the drumlines for two different high schools. My first student was in one of the drumlines that I taught, and my second student was referred to me by the band director of another school, after seeing my drumline in competition. Since then, I have taught more students than I can count. Most students have been middle and high school age, but I have had lots of fun teaching students as young as 5 years old, and adults who always wished they had learned to play the drums.I have found that the best way to motivate students is tostart by teaching themto play the kind of music they like most, and then introduce them to other styles later.Lessons are always fun, and catered to the student's needs. 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: Voice

I believe that each students is at a different level so you have to tailor everything based on that. I believe that reading music is extremly important in the development of singing as well as enjoying music. I believe that each student should know key signatures as well as what notes are on and off the staff. For all students I focus on the following: Breath, Correct Vowel Placement. I believe that if you have solid breath foundations then you can produce purer vowels and in turn if you have purer vowels then you have longer lasting and easier breath production. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For younger students who are in a school band program, I like to use the materials they use in class and to add outside material they find interesting. I find students are more motivated to practice and develop when we start with something that interests them, and then to expose them to other styles of music later on. For older or more advanced students, I like to focus on aspects of musicianship that will help them be successful musicians, such as ear-training, theory, composition, performance practice, improvisation (if the student wishes) and transcribing. Read More