Music Lessons in Washoe Valley, NV

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My basic approach to teaching is to evaluate where the student will be most able to gain skill and knowledge that helps them reach whatever their musical goal is. I customize my teaching to each students needs and abilities to optimize success and progress. I found thru my years of teaching hundreds of students that the ones who feel they got something they were wanting to learn are the most motivated to keep going. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

I came to a life in music through the music of my neighborhood, church and public education. My first experience with a Brass instrument (after displaying a woeful lack of aptitude for the clarinet,) was with the Trombone. Unfortunately my arms weren't long enough to get the slide to the lowest positions on the slide, so my teacher gave me cornet to try, a day or so later I could get a consistent sound. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

For beginning students, I like to use either standard of excellence or essential elements. I also pull from my own personal library or will ask to provide materials based on the students needs. Lessons are structured with some type of warm up, a technique and solo performance, as well as practicing skills on sight reading. This is good for both adults and kids. I also like to set goals at each lesson and have a time frame of what the expectations are for the following lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Banjo Mallet Percussion

My teaching style is improvisational in nature. I focus on creative compositions. In contrast, I present traditional music and learning. I juxtapose the two into a new style of teaching. I mix the old with the new, and thereby create my own style. Much as in the fashion of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do with my intention on music education. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I usually employ the Rubank method books. These books, while not as flashy as others, are exceptional for building technique, musicality, and reading skills. In addition, my students focus upon proper tone production, technique, and posture as we explore their musical preferences. I encourage my students to explore the genres of music that they enjoy as well. Through fun Disney excerpts, jazz transcriptions, pop music, or any other passion, we keep our lessons productive, yet fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola

For my beginning students, I will typically teach out of the Sound Innovations methods books and incorporate certain lessons from other method books as well. After a foundation has been established, I will introduce solo repertoire and begin to work toward recitals and local competitions. I introduce concepts from a variety of composers, styles, and periods, but I also want to encourage the child's love for music so I take into account what things they have heard and possibly want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching professionally in the Bay Area about 30 years ago. I have taught in a variety of settings includings classes, group lessons, in music stores, for school districts, at students' homes and in my own private studio. Every person learns differently and I am highly skilled at detecting this and using it to my students' advantage. My recitals not only present individual pieces, but also group works that encourage working together with other musicians which is a highly rewarding benefit of music. Read More