Piano Lessons in University Park, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Synthesizer French Horn Keyboard

As an instructor and musician I have explored a huge variety of different musical styles froma roudn the world, as well as the cognitive fundamentals of learning. I try to preapre my students with learning tools that will allow them to continue improving even after my time as their instructor is over. I focus especially on building an understanding of how and why to acquire strong fundamentals, so that we can collaboratively drive their learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I typically begin by teaching students how to visiually identify the keys on the piano, as well as notes on sheet music. Then I like to begin to work on finger shape when playing, as well as basic scales. As we continue practicing with the fundamentals, I like to pick simple identifiable songs for students to move into next. Easily recognizable melodies make the learning process easier, more attainable to the student, and fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am flexible and I adapt my method to the student. I like to start students out with learning scales right away. If you can learn the scales, it makes learning new songs so much easier. Plus, they are great excercise for building agility. I also like to use a book called "A Dozen a Day" which includes more excercies for building agility and helping students master more difficult levels of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

My passion for teaching began my senior year of high school when I assumed a leadership role within my band program. I led trombone and brass sectionals and helped to mentor younger students. As a result of those experiences, I built a private studio of trombone students made up of my classmates and have maintained a private studio ever since. As I grew as a musician I began to teach jazz improvisation to other instruments and added beginning piano students to my roster. Read More

Instruments: Piano

With beginning and intermediate students, I work a lot with Faber and Faber's Piano Adventures and with the Alfred method. However, I am open to other methods if the student has a preference. With advanced students I strive towards a variety of repertoire. If they are classical players, I will make sure to eventually cover something Baroque, Classical (Mozart, Haydn, etc.), Romantic, and something modern, as well as all the gaps in between. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

For beginning students I usually start with either Fundamentals of Piano Theory or just basic note reading and writing. Since each student is different and responds differently to any variety of instruction methods, it’s important for me to be flexible and find the right one for the student. For kids, keeping the material light enough to understand while being challenging and engaging is important. For adults, being aware that they have busy lives with not as much time to practice as kids is something I always take into consideration. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For beginner students, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements provides a simple and easy to understand method to learning an instrument. For trumpet students, I like to integrate Earl D. Irons, H. L. Clarke, Arban, Stamp, Chicowicz and Caruso studies. In addition to technique, these books offer etudes and duets. For jazz improvisation students, iRealPro, The Real Book and Jamey Abersolds ii-V-I book (Volume 3). In addition to these method books, I also like to stress the importance of sight reading; books like Alan Raphs Dance Band book and other solo repertoire provide good sight reading training. Read More