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Bachelor Degree: Oklahoma City University
I am a voice teacher in the Chicago West Loop area. I am originally from Madison Wi, and I moved to Chicago earlier this year after Marrying my lovely husband, Brett. We have sang at churches across the midwest together. As a teacher I have taught at numerous institutions including Merit School of Music, Peoples School of Music, Children's Theater of Madison, and Stoughton Center for the Arts. I am a musical theater lover and love coaching musical theater music. I strive to help students create healthy vocal technique and an ability to use their instrument in new and exciting ways.
My teaching experience dates back to my high school, as I began teaching private lessons part time 7 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 3 years since graduating college. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!
For beginning students who are children, I typically start with The Full Voice Books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. With students of all ages I try to find balance in repertoire. I select songs that they are excited about as well as thing that will push then farther.
Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. During lessons I have students bring a notebook and record themselves during lessons so they can listen back throughout the week and write down notes to bring to their lessons the following week.