Piano Lessons in Buffalo Grove, IL

Instruments: Piano

Alfred Publishing piano courses (both older and newer), Faber and Faber, Bastien, Edna Mae Burnam, and the Hal Leonard course have all been among my pre-published methods that I have used over the years. I have also adopted some technic content from elsewhere. For example, the Zion Conservatory of Music, where I taught from 2004 to 2018, uses a couple of different customized scale patterns for first- and second-year students. A book I have used with intermediate students is a Conus Russian piano method edited by James and Susan McKeever, who taught the Parkside piano pedagogy courses. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

Building a solid method approach for every student is essential to the students success. I choose a custom approach for each student, because each student is unique. There are many overlaps to my approach for each students lesson plan, however every lesson needs to be altered a little, since some students struggle in areas where others might succeed. Fundamentals are the foundation for successful music making, and thus are the foundation of the lessons I teach. I have worked with many different method books and do not have a single preferred book, rather each student may need something different depending on their strengths and areas that need improvement. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

Praise, suggestion, praise is a big part of any teaching situation I enter. I believe that it is crucial to a student’s learning to be in a safe and positive environment. As soon as they feel uncomfortable or as if it is not okay for them to be themselves, the productivity goes down and they are not able to accomplish things to their fullest potential. I also strive to influence students in not just education, but in life as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

I am neither strict nor laid back. In order to improve, however, students are required to practice everyday (even if it is for 15 minutes a day). I do not demand perfection from my students, but I do expect students to put in the effort to learn. I truly want to teach students to play music and I want to encourage students to find joy in making music. 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 Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I use many ideas from various sources to combine with my instruction methods; All with a gradient level in mind rising to a higher plateau of musical knowledge and understanding. I combine theory with practical applications of each concept being taught. Music theory, practical exercises, along with ear training appropriate to the level or needs of a student. I give students songs to learn that emphasizes concepts being taught.They have an option to select their own songs, if it's not outside their level of playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I will then add more performance pieces that they can be proud of performing at recitals, for their friends, etc. I also play games with younger students like music reading flashcards, rhythm video games, and more. For adults, I put a lot of importance on whatever the student wants out of the lesson. If they dont want to learn to read music or want a less formal lesson, then thats okay! Read More