Piano Lessons in Monticello, WI

Instruments: Piano Djembe

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching privately in 2009, and have been consistently teaching students inside and on-line from my home studio for the last 7 years. Committing to consistent practice as your schedule allows is one of the key points I emphasize for all students regardless of age, as only the consistency will help you progress, after all music is a language. My approach has always evolved and adapted as I learn new concepts and techniques, however I would summarize my approach to teaching piano as focusing on rhythmic development, playing-by ear with music reading supports and adding the perspective that the piano is a percussion instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For all students I'll be going over various ways to memorize any piece. I'll go over intervals, imperfect pitches, scale structure, chord progression, and how to apply all of it. I will start off with identifying notes in a scale, what they mean and how to use them. From there I'll go over rhythm and understanding time signatures. I will teach the importance of identifying and analyzing various compositions that the student finds interest in. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Organ Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Ray has been hailed by Opera News as, "terrific!", the New York Times praised, "Ray C. was effectively cast...a solid professional with vocal elegance." The Taconic Press acclaims him as, an exceptional voiceleaving audiences cheering" with his performances being, ardent and utterly convincing." The New York Sun said of his stage craft: Ray C. makes the most of it, combining savvy stage business with a warm voiceexpertly straddling that razor thin line between parody and poignancyscored a direct hit." While the Berkshire Review simply calls him, "...Perfect!" His travels have led him to make appearances with Grandview Opera (General Co Artistic Director), the Light Opera Company Of Salisbury (General Artistic Director), Prelude to Performance (Associate Conductor), Amore Opera (Principal Conductor), the Opera Orchestra of New York, New York Grand Opera, Connecticut Opera, Connecticut Concert Opera, Greater New Britain Opera, Berkshire Opera, Bardavon Opera, Jacksonville Lyric Opera, Opera Ischia (Italy), Bronx Opera, New Rochelle Opera, Amato Opera, Bleecker Street Opera (Associate Conductor), Regina Opera, Long Island Opera, the New Britain Symphony Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Staten Island Philharmonic, the Belleayre Music Festival, American Opera Preview, in collaboration with artists and staff of the Metropolitan Opera, at Carnegie Hall, Bechstein Hall, Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I have found nothing in my professional life more satisfying that developing lasting relationships with my students. Watching someone grow in their ability to play music, especially music they love, is an experience that is second to none. I will help you become the musician you long to be, and hopefully point you in some new and exciting directions along the way. We embark on this journey together, and no matter where we end up it will be a wonderful ride getting there! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching voice during my undergraduate college years. Since then, I have taught both in-studio and in-home lessons. My students have consistently received high honors in solo and ensemble performances, as well as singing, leads in school and area productions. My piano students develop good beginning technique and theory skills that help prepare them as they move into the advanced repertoire. Both my piano and voice students perform in competitions regularly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

As our time together continues, my goal for the student is that they become more self-sufficient (as is age-appropriate). For example, a teenage/adult student who has been taking lessons for a year will lead the lesson more than a beginner student; they will understand my warm up system and will arrive at the lesson warmed up and arrive with goals and questions prepared. This is because my goals for each student surpass their ability on their instrument: being a good musician means taking responsibility for one's practice. 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