Piano Lessons in Timber Lake, IL

Instruments: Piano

Dennis H. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Moody Bible Institute of Chicago in Bible and Theology and has studied Piano Pedagogy and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He first privately studied piano with Mrs. Ethel Cliff Stried, a Zion Conservatory of Music graduate, from 1979 to 1989. At Bethel College he studied under Gordon Howell (1989-1990).  At Moody he studied under Gary Rownd (1992). Hello and welcome! If you are searching for piano lessons in Racine, you can meet with me at the Racine Family YMCA Lakefront campus, where my studio is located. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

I always figure out where a student is at, and prefer to grow off the student's strengths as opposed to harping on their weaknesses. I have been in lessons before where teachers couldn't get past the smallest details, and these ruined the experience for me, as well as greatly affected what I was able to accomplish in my lessons. The opposite is also true, in that I have had teachers that haven't even informed me of a weakness that I had, and I wasn't able to improve because of it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Music

I have 3 years of teaching experience and 10 years of experience as a performer. I love making and sharing music with others, and I find it extremely rewarding to see a student grow and develop as a musician. I take a calm approach to teaching and work with students according to their goals. Students can bring any music they would like to learn, and I think music should be fun to learn! Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer

My beginning students start out by learning music theory. We definitely have to establish and learn the fundamentals. Once they begin to learn the piano, I throw in modern day music to keep them interested. We start applying the concepts and theory into what they enjoy playing to continue to build the strong foundation. With my advanced students, I work on advanced chord knowledge, theory, improvisation, and training of the ear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute

For beggining students in guitar or piano, I would have them start with a basic beggining book such as something by hal leonard. With guitar I will teach basic chords and go from there to working on songs. Scales and chords will be a big part of beggining work in these instruments. As for Saxophone, I will usually begin with scales and long tone work- the later being something extremely important. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique, followed by artistic expression. My teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. To progress, students must practice daily. I let my students know that quality and focus of practice is far more important than duration. They learn to isolate 2 or 3 measures, and repeat them slowly until accuaracy is achieved consistently. I convey my love of teaching by: complimenting students on achieving goals, smiling, being energetic, making sure the student lets me know when he/she does not understand a concept and re-explaing it until it is understood with gentleness and patience, bringing in adjunct music from which the student, after hearing me play several excerpts, can select several pieces, playing duets with the student, and encouraging students to compose their own songs by ear, which I later notate. Read More