Piano Lessons in Smithville, MO

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I believe that an understanding of music theory and learning to read music is the foundation of success for both my piano and voice students which is why I typically require my voice students to be taking piano simultaneously with voice. For beginning piano students, I will typically begin with the James Bastien Primer/Level 1 Series with the focus split equally between theory and technique. I require students to fill out a practice log monthly to ensure that they are maintaining the knowledge and skills they learn in lessons and so that parents can be involved in their progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Effective teaching needs to be a give and take between the student and the teacher. I am knowledgeable and experienced in performing jazz, classical, and various pop genres of music, and yet, students bring a fresh perspective to a piano lesson. I like to challenge and excite students in developmentally appropriate ways by giving them a mix of music that they choose and music that I think is necessary for their growth as a musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am classically trained in piano and vocals, but I can teach many other styles. I believe that when a serious teacher interacts with a creative, ambitious student the musical results can be magical. The most effective lessons are one on one between the teacher and student. I like to provide both a fun learning experience and results. The study of music can provide long-term pleasure and accomplishment. I recommend my students practice at least 20 minutes per day to develop their abilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I don't believe in a one size fits all mentality for music education, I've often seen this approach derail students from enjoying the process and eventually terminating their relationship with music overall. Students are a case-by-case basis, and in that regard, each lesson is catered to the students actual goals and interests. I believe in training our ears and our sense of rhythm to a point where the student can figure things out and make artistic decisions on their own and use lessons, less as a tutorial, but as a source of inspiration to pursue the things that brought them here in the first place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

My teaching experience started in High School when I would exchange piano lessons for guitar with a musician friend of mine. My formal teaching experience began in Atlanta 5 years ago when I co-taught group keyboard lessons for beginner elementary school students and taught adult beginner voice students through my in-home studio. I took this experience back to my home town of Iowa City where I traveled to teach beginner adult piano and beginner adult voice and taught beginner-early intermediate piano and voice through a local music lessons studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Organ Ukulele Recorder Keyboard Djembe

Most of my music career has focused on accompaniment and performance - but teaching is my favorite, because it gives me the opportunity to help another succeed. Music is at the core of each of us, and it's so crucial to find success in developing that part of us. I focus on student success, no matter what that looks like. My students will be encouraged to enter competitions, recitals, and composition. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer

The first step is to build a foundation, a base that all musical ability will be built on. This core will be built of fundamental elements. (This step is fun because you are able to play your instrument.) Once a foundation is created all newly learned material will add on to that base foundation. This means if you learn new material or go off on your on in any direction you will always have this musical foundation that all of your musical learning will be added to. (This step is really exciting, and leads you to new musical elements and new ideas.) Next you begin to learn musical techniques. Read More