Piano Lessons in Monrovia, IN

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I consider my piano performing career vital to my success as a teacher, and vice versa. An inspiring pianist is an inspiring piano teacher and I play all repertoire that I teach. As well as using my playing and teaching experience to guide their repertoire choices, I eventually get my students to choose their own repertoire so they fall in love with discovering music. I become an example to my students of a pianist who loves to discover new music, so I encourage their listening in many ways. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I started playing guitar at age 8. In my formative years I studied with various instructors around central Indianapolis until mid year of '85. Upon this time I studied a full year with James Lee Thorpe whom eventually played, toured recorded with Sweet F.A. They released albums with MCA Chrysalis Records. I began composing my own riffs, melodies and solo work at age 15 also. I studied Music Theory my Junior year at Ben Davis High School. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

My teaching style is laid back and fun, as well as motivating and challenging. I think it's important for each lesson to be fun because it fosters positive growth and a love for music. It is also important to me that students take their learning seriously. I expect my students to practice on their own time in order to reach their own goals. Without practice and perseverance, it is difficult to become skilled at your instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have made a lot of sheets/handouts that I have collected over the years and give these out to my students for free, this has worked well for most students. I try to adapt my teaching style to fit any student and help them achieve their goals and believe the best teachers are able to break down complex ideas or difficult concepts into simple steps that any student can follow. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners, I generally stick with the Faber Method books, as I enjoy their unity of music theory and practical application more than other method series. It is my goal to remove students from methods as soon as possible- somewhere around early intermediate skill level, so that we may engage with more meaningful repertoire from the 'greats', as well as give the students the tools to take agency over their own repertoire choices, including transcriptions of popular media. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In my time as an instructor, I have not used any particular method book in my lessons. I will buy a notebook for each student where all important information from the lesson will be recorded. I write charts and exercises myself using tablature or standard notion depending on the student. As music being such a cumulative concept, I like to not only focus on pedagogy, but music theory and aural skills as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet

Age-friendly materials are my favorite to use. For very young pianists I often buy books with lots of color and large print like Kjos's Piano Party. Kjos and Alfred are two of my favorite publishers, but I am willing to work with materials your family may already own. Flashcards are an important tool for many children to become fluent at naming/reading notes. I also like to have students complete written theory assignments, and, to help students from getting bored, I often "reward" them with single pieces of fun sheet music that can be performed for recitals and competitions. Read More