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25 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Chicago . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard
I have been a band director for several years teaching elementary, middle school and high school students. I have taught beginner and intermediate group piano and private piano lessons for 7 years. I have taught private brass lessons of a wide range of ages and abilities since 2008. I have taught ages of elementary school through adult. I have found that fundamentals are the key to success at every age. Through quickly identifying strengths and weaknesses, and catering to ambitions and desires, my students experience a fun and inspirational learning environment. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola
I have been called the female Jack Black by many of my former and current students. So I do believe you could say that I am fun, I make things comfortable and provide a great environment to learn, but then I can also truly be serious and strict when it comes to practicing and performing. Expectations: Practice DAILY. Be ready for each lesson. Be willing to communicate with me about things you do not understand. Read More
Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo
I do not believe in the "cookie-cutter" teaching method, which means that I do not utilize the same teaching method with every student. I realize that each student is a unique individual with different learning preferences. With each student, I design a different approach that caters to the student's needs. Also, I do not have a set curriculum and with each student, I will set up an individualized plan. Some method books I use include: Faber Faber, John Thompson Piano Course, and the Suzuki Method. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Clarinet
Every student is unique in their ability level, dedication to the instrument/craft, et. al; therefore, I cannot expect that every student will be the next Larry Combs. I do, however, expect that every student take their responsibility for practicing each week, coming prepared to lessons, and being a good student. In lessons, I am kind and personable as anyone should be, but I like to make clear my expectations right from the beginning. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard
I have been a voice/piano teacher for 37 years, and have been known as the most patient and experienced teacher in Rockford. I am also nationally-certified. I have had students sing Off-Broadway, "The Young Americans," Grand Ole' Opry, sing opera at Carnegie Hall, teach at Interlochen and place 40 out of 5,000 out of American Idol auditions in Indianapolis. I am a graduate for songwriting from Academy-award-winning Molly-Ann Leiken (wrote for Neil Diamond and Karen Carpenter). Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard
Beginning students will start out with technique practices, while introducing solo literature when appropriate. Technique studies can always be improved and studied, no matter a student's age or proficiency. I try to work within the repertoire a student is interested in at first, then expanding to materials and genres the student may find interesting to help broaden the experience and knowledge a student can gain from our lessons. No matter the age or ability level, I help students understand that each lesson and new idea or piece we learn adds to their experience, and experiences are building blocks for our futures. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Electric Violin Double Bass Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe
For beginning students, I usually start by creating a strong foundation in the student's mind of why they want to learn how to play an instrument and what goals, if any, they initially have for themselves. I then utilize this to help create individual based lesson plans that are driven by the inner workings of the student's mind. I incorporate music theory into every instrument at every skill level because I believe it to be something that is extremely important to understand and that not a lot of students are exposed to before they get to college. Read More
Instruments: Piano Organ
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I generally audition a student and have them either sight read a composition or play something they have done in the past. Afterwards, we talk about basic musicianship and technique requirements. The student needs to know something about a composer and why that composer composed in a certain style, the period the composition was composed, and a brief analysis of what's happening in the music. If there is a specific theme that is worth mentioning, I will have the student give me their ideas and why a particular composer chose that theme.
When will I start to see results?
I recommend that a beginning student take at least three months to see how they like the piano and give them a chance to explore diverse styles. Not every beginning student will aspire to be a classically trained pianist. You may have someone who likes popular, rock and roll, jazz, and even the more contemporary. Three months is a fairly good indicator if a student likes what they are doing and plan to continue. Piano competitions are encouraged as part of their educational development and this is set up by age levels in communities.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I had two piano teachers in music that inspired me years ago when I started in music school. Before starting college, a lady at my home church in West Virginia prepared me for my audition at West Virginia University before finishing high school. I memorized and played the "Sonata Pathetique" by Beethoven which I did all three movements of the work. The entire music department at the university heard my audition and afterwards was told my artistry was wonderful and that came from Herman Godes who was my principal teacher.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
It was my mother who encouraged me to learn the piano which began at age 6. Besides playing the keyboard, I was a gifted singer as well and received voice instruction in a local boys choir and did that until age 14. All through junior high and high school, I was selected as an accompanist for the choirs and received the musicianship award upon graduation from high school. Then through my college years, I was fortunate to study with some of the finest teachers in the world who were world class artists.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Spend at least 30 minutes a day for small children focusing on technique, sight reading, simple solo pieces, and basic fundamental theory. For more intermediate and advanced, anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour. I remind students not to focus on too much at one time. Divide up the session into segments and spend most of the practice on styles and techniques.
Occasionally, I may introduce a recording of a piece and have the student listen and then give me feedback on what they heard and how it should be analyzed.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Chicago to students of all ages and abilities.
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