Piano Lessons in Chanhassen, MN

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello

I started playing the piano when I was 7 and the cello when I was 8. I took lessons in both instruments growing up, adding playing the guitar in High School and the violin in college. In public and private schools, have taught elementary classroom music, elementary orchestra, and High School Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For my advanced students (18+), depending on how advanced they are, I start them in the "First Book of _______ Solos" series. This series covers singing in English as well as several other languages and provides a good foundation for singing. Anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis. For younger brass students (10-14) I would teach out of the Standard of Excellence Books unless they are more advanced where I would start them in the Arbans Book, Robert Getchell Book, and/or Schlossberg Book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

Whatever type of music they are interested in playing, I find several examples to pull from that and use it as teaching material and relate it back to our foundational training. This keeps our lessons fun, engaging, and rewarding. For Drum set, I teach from Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials 1.0/2.0" and John Riley's "The Art of Bop Drumming". I encourage students to perform a recital but I like to stretch the definition of a "recital". Read More

Instruments: Piano

It is important that each student progress at his or her own pace. Encouragement is given by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps engage a students desire to progress and make students eager to learn more. By exploring what inspires the student, I can tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. An example is using the Faber and Faber book PlayTime Piano Rock'n'Roll and learningRock Around the Clock or Rockin'Robin and PlayTime Piano Classics such as Lullaby by Brahms or Country Dance by Beethoven. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Accordion Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching private lessons in 1989. My focus is to understand what learning style my students have and base my teaching methods on their individual needs. In college I studied pedagogies (teaching methods) for band, orchestra and majored in vocal and classroom education. Since achieving my degree in teaching kindergarten through 12th grade education, I have worked in Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and High School settings as well with the elderly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

For beginners, I like to start with getting to know the keys and their patterns. There are 7 different white keys and 5 different black keys and once you figure out the pattern, it becomes easy to identify the keys on the piano. After that, I like to touch over basic music theory i.e. identifying sharps and flats, intervals, structures of scales, etc. I also like to teach my students how to read sheet music and flashcards (which I have) have helped a numerous amount of times with that. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium Mallet Percussion

Additionally, I like students to work on solos with piano accompaniment, although I don't require it. I am also a big fan of using duets to build listening skills and fluidity (and most students think duets are fun!). For piano lessons, I have experience with a variety of methods; each has its strengths and weaknesses. If a student is already using a particular method, we can continue with that if it seems to be working well. Read More