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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Lyons . 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 Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar
My teaching experience began in the Chicago public and private schools in the 1970's. Wanting to have the ability to work with a student on a one on one basis, I went into business for myself as a private teacher. From 1976 to 2010 I taught music in a music store that I co-owned in the Chicago area. During that same period I worked with several universities with theMethods of Private Instruction in the area of Music Education. Read More
Instruments: Piano
The more a student feels like he/she has accomplished, the more patience and dedication the student acquires. After a student has established that piano is fun/rewarding, I like to slowly incorporate the study of music theory. With music theory a student can begin to codify and understand where these sounds come from. This greater understanding and insight empowers the student to play more musically, or creatively--whether in performing notes written, or improvisationally/compositionally. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Harp
Understanding that every student has unique experiences, interests, strengths and weaknesses, I always work to ensure that lessons are to the benefit of the student. Instead of thinking of my role as a director who prescribes a set path, I like to think of private lessons as an opportunity for partnership, where I play the role of facilitator. To do so, I regularly check-in with students to build a lesson structure that works for them. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
My lessons are about technique and applying the technique to repertoire. I spend about a third of the lesson on specific technique work and I always encourage students to bring in their own material that we can work on as well. I of course always have songs to suggest and I cater to each individual student's needs. If you need a high song, I'll find a high one. If you need a pop song, I'll find a pop song. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard
Like most music teachers, my passions started with performing myself, and then using those experiences to educate my students. I have be a part of several operas, musicals, choirs, pop and Jazz ensembles, and each experience taught me tactics that I would not have learned anywhere else. I then paired my performing knowledge with my knowledge of education and with that I have successfully taught choirs, bands, vocal a capella ensembles, classrooms, musicals, pit orchestras and many many voice and piano students from ages 5-63! Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music Keyboard
Balancing the radically different musical backgrounds of each student was difficult at first, but I have realized that the core struggles are universal. The solution for each roadblock typically revolved around the students attitude, rather than their approach. Once the student figured out what they truly wanted to learn and feel from music, they were able to set their mind to it and drastically improve. I sincerely enjoy helping the student find their voice and interests, rather than enforcing my own upon them. Read More
Instruments: Piano Keyboard
For beginning students I usually start with either Fundamentals of Piano Theory or just basic note reading and writing. Since each student is different and responds differently to any variety of instruction methods, it’s important for me to be flexible and find the right one for the student. For kids, keeping the material light enough to understand while being challenging and engaging is important. For adults, being aware that they have busy lives with not as much time to practice as kids is something I always take into consideration. Read More
Instruments: Piano
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I have developed my own method of teaching and currently and working to get them published ina book. The first lessons the student learns the keyboard, then the white key scale positions, and the rudimentary elements of music. I have designed my own worksheets, so the student learns to read music that is similar to the way keyboard music was taught during the classical period.
The students also learn to read music, develop musical skills, and improve their talent by composing their own songs and transposing familiar tunes.
After the student has acquired a basic knowledge of the keyboard, C and G position and chords, finger movements, then I ease them into printed music. I use easy classical music such as is found in Bartok's Mikrkosmos, Masterwork's Classic's Edited by Jane Macgrath, Alfred publisher, Technic is fun, and contemporary fun publications
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
If a student reviews their assignment 3-5 times a day, that is a good practice session. This is better than insisting on 30 minutes. When the brain is engaged in processing new information, it grows new brain cells. These will eventually integrate with other cells in other regions increasing the student's abilities. If an individual goes over something more than 5 times in sequence, the brain stops engaging and that is when bad habits can set in. It is better to go over some scale positions and chords, then use these in a form of transposing, improvising, and using these same elements in a notated piece.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have the equivalent of a double Masters of Music, Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance. For the Master's degree and part of working on a doctorate, I was privileged to study with internationally known, Dr Maurice Hinson, known for his teaching, and hundred's of publications/editions with Alfred Publisher. I wanted to be the best piano teacher, and perhaps even a concert pianist. However, while working on the master's degree, I became involved with teaching children with autism, which inspired me to do everything that I could to help them, so I applied and was accepted at Indiana University and acquired an Educational Specialist Degree in Special Education. This degree is the same as a doctorate but many more electives on the doctoral level. Mine was in Brain Sciences, neurology, Autism, Developmental Disorders, and music.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Currently, I am working on selections from Rachmaninov's Moments Musical, and Chopin's "Winter Wind" Etude in a minor. Now that I've finished my degrees, and made a good start on my books, I deeply desire to get back into piano performance. Performing, or even just practising/
]=, those pieces bring a great deal of satisfaction. My deepest goal is only to perfect these pieces. that is my personal challenge and goal. Another motivation for mastery of these selections is based on the effect that music has on the brain. When playing the piano, the brain is activated in many areas simultaneously. Music is very good for the brain and spirit of a man.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Pediatric Psychologist working with children with developmental disorders to improve their cognitive processing (which is what music does for the typical and atypical brain). I love working with children and their cognitive development. For me, there is little more in life that is more rewarding than helping a child improve their cognitive processing. In autism, improved cognitive functions results in an improved lifestyle for them and their families. To hear one of my autistic students speak in a complete sentence for the first time is a great reward!
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Rachmaninov, Beethoven are my favourite composers. Rachmaninov presents some great challenges technically, and mentally. His music is very complex and difficult to perform. Some of his works such as Moments Musicaix N0. 4, in e minor, and No. 6, in C major are physically exhausting to perform. The speed and volume require much energy, both mental and physical.
Beethoven's repertoire presents different challenges of technical skills to bring out what he is trying to say emotionally. His volatile dynamics represent sudden changes of emotions.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
I come from a family of musicians. I have perfect pitch, as does my father, grandmother, and great-grandfather. My daughters have perfect pitch.
One of my great grandfathers was a singer and was constantly singing hymns and praises. My other great grandfather was a music leader in his church and organized many music groups.
My father was also a music director and soloist in several churches.
My grandmother, who had perfect pitch, played hymns for her church and learned from shaped notes and read music according to the solfege system
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
The decision to become a professional musician was a gradual one. It came as a result of wanting to help people improve their mind and lifestyle. I had a friend who began teaching piano in high school, I thought that I could do that too. However, when I started studying at Butler University, I decided that I love piano so much, that I wanted to perform piano in order to help others enjoy piano music as well. I made a slight turn from that path and decided that helping children and other adults to learn music was a much better occupation.
24 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 Lyons to students of all ages and abilities.
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