Piano Lessons in Portage, WI

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning piano students who are children, we will typically either start with Alfred or Piano Adventures series. I find that both these series introduce the concepts of technique, theory, solo playing, and terminology in ways that help them learn effectively. Depending on the age, they will be placed in either early beginner's series or the beginner series. For adults, I look at what they are interested in and build a course for them based on that. Read More

Instruments: Piano Djembe

I have been offering music education since 2009, where I have had the luxury to work, learn and play with students, other fellow musicians and experience music education in a variety of environments and platforms whether in person or via the internet. I am a self-taught musician, beginning at Edgewood College, where I served as the pianist in the Jazz Ensemble. After college, I had the opportunity to play professionally for several years; as the pianist in the Jeff Peronto Jazz Orchestra (Big Band) and also was the pianist for a period of time with Madison, WI Jazz Club "Cafe' Coda" owner, Hanah Jon Taylor in the Hanah Jon Taylor Artet (Jazz Combo). Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe

I graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College and earned an associates Degree in Jazz Music. I went on to U.W. Milwaukee and studied classical music and was part of the U.W. Milwaukee Percussion Ensemble for 4 years. After graduating from U.W. Milwaukee I became a full time musician and traveled as a full time musician working throughout the United States and internationally. I worked in a wide range of venues night clubs, lounges, casino's, U.S.O's bases, musicals I have worked as various schools nursing homes, boy scout groups Native American Reservations etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I'm a guitar and piano player who has been teaching students of all ages since 2011. I started playing guitar 17 years ago and it has been my constant companion since then. I got my music degree from Carleton College, and my senior project was on jazz guitar arranging. I have played in bands, both on guitar and bass, for many years and I love performing live. I have taught most styles of guitar, and also beginner piano and bass guitar. 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 Voice

I have different methods for piano and voice: depending on the level of the piano student, I will use Faber method books and supplement performance pieces, technique lessons, games, theory discussions, etc. I do not use method books with voice students, although I do have a curriculum that I follow and adjust depending on the level and age of the voice student. I believe that while beginning and intermediate students continue to learn, it is important for them to practice different genres on their instrument -- this allows them to speak different musical languages, improves their understanding of style, and gives them a better context for their own gifts and interests. Read More