Music Lessons in Winnetka, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I started teaching towards the end of high school and continued in college and beyond! I found it beneficial to be teaching students while still being a student myself. Having great teachers in my life has shaped my own approach to teaching. I discovered that when I was able to study what I was truly excited about, my capacity to learn and improve my craft increased exponentially! To that end, I encourage students to bring in original material as well as "covers" that they are interested in to build a repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer

I started teaching piano while in college. The spectrum of my students was varied from their ages to their experience. I found that I could make a greater impact on the progress of my students not only by incorporating organized lesson plans, but also by creating a fun and nurturing environment. My success in motivating and teaching my students was based on making learning fun. I never forget about the importance of music theory, but I also understand each student is unique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

My teaching style is technical and yet open ended. I stress knowing scales, chords, inversions like the back of your hand to enable you to put them together just as we put the English language together. Letters become words which become sentences which become paragraphs which become stories. Keys become scales which build chords which build progressions which build phrases which build songs. Knowing this language of music, one can freely express what they hear in their mind outwardly to their audience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Lute Music

The least methodical of the four approaches, the Orff method teaches music in four stages: imitation, exploration, improvisation, and composition, and this is what i use. 1- make musical instruments with your children......2-Sing to them...... 3- Teach them to whistle...... 4- play musical games..... 5- play music in the background.... 6- let them play with instruments...... 7- Give them musical colouring in..... 8- get them used to musical terms... 9- soundtrack nap time.... 10- Children's TV programs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Lute Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I would describe the overall style of my teaching philosophy as “personalized”. With all new students, I hold an initial interview in order to learn as much as I can regarding their musical background, knowledge, and experience, both in general and specifically to the instrument they wish to pursue. Through that initial picture, I begin to build a curriculum designed for the specific needs, goals, and desires of each student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is designed to give each student a feeling of progress and real growth each lesson. It's essential that every student practice every day for at least 30min in order for my method to really work. In short, I like to be a resource for my students. A person who can present the information as clear and concise as possible. If the student wants to learn just rock or blues, I would show them licks and scales that are primarily used in those styles as well as learn any song they want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Dennis H. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in Bible and Theology and has studied Piano Pedagogy and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He first privately studied piano with Mrs. Ethel Cliff Stried, a Zion Conservatory of Music graduate, from 1979 to 1989. At Bethel College he studied under Gordon Howell (1989-1990).  At Moody he studied under Gary Rownd (1992). Hello and welcome! If you are searching for piano lessons in Racine, you can meet with me at the Racine Family YMCA Lakefront campus, where my studio is located. Read More