Piano Lessons in Cottage Grove, WI

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe

In addition to technique we work on music theory where the student learns to identify both the type of note it is as well as identifying the name of the note dependent on the clef and key signature of the music. As an instructor we also do a variety of reading exercises where I cover a variety of genres from classical, jazz as well as a variety of contemporary genres. 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 Djembe

As an educator I do my best to imitate the most impactful learning sessions I have experienced during my tenure, and most if not all of those learning opportunities stemmed from an educator who carried 3 characteristics, also know as the definition of Cool. These characteristics include, being Kind, Honest and Fearless. As a teacher I have to be honest, both with my student's current musical capacity and also with how I am planning to help them progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is very simple. With the fundamentals in place, it's possible to learn any song you want to. If there's a song that goes beyond a student's fundamentals, then that's what we'll learn next. As my music teachers told me, if you listen to a record and you find something on it that you don't know how to play, go back and learn how to do it! Listening and learning is essential to playing the music that you want to be able to play as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I have taught from both the FJH and Berklee series of guitar and theory books. My lessons revolve around three parts: 1- Lessons from books of the appropriate level. We choose a book that suits the student, and there are weekly assignments from the book. 2- Theory work, usually focusing on the Blues form. My teaching of pop, rock, country, folk, etc. all goes back to the blues form. The music theory work also supports the students growing musical knowledge. 3- The student's choice of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Music lessons were one of my favorite activities growing up and continue to be for me as an adult. I want to give my students the same joy that I have for music, regardless of what their goals are. In the first lesson, I ask every new student what their goals area. That is how we start working together. For instance, if I know that a student is hoping to audition for a school production in a few months, I want to make sure that I include performance preparation in our lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching private music lessons a decade ago as an undergraduate music student. Working at a community music school, I volunteered to teach piano lessons and lead the choir. I fell in love with teaching and after receiving my Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance, I began teaching private lessons and directing the commercial vocal ensemble at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. While working at Trevecca, I taught many different genres of music to music majors, music minors, and elective students. Read More