Michael O
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Keyboard, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Musical Theater, Opera, Punk
Michael O
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Keyboard, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Musical Theater, Opera, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Master Degree: North Park University
North Park University - Graduate Assistantship - 2011 - 2014
North Park University Chamber Ensemble - 2012 - First Place
Polish Arts Club Competition - 2013 - First Place
I am an Artist who loves to see his students succeed. I have a strong passion for music, and utilize that passion and the skills I've developed throughout my career to cultivate students into fellow Artists. My primary goal as a teacher is to tap into the potential artistry of the students. For that reason, I am not as focused on the technical skills, as I am about spotlighting the inspiration that will facilitate the student to embody the Artist with original expression and purpose in their art form. I've performed throughout most of the U.S., and have also performed in Europe. In my operatic career I have performed over 60 roles, and have worked with many new composers premiering new works.
My teaching experience is primarily with private voice and piano lessons. I began teaching as a private instructor in 2010, and have taught privately since. I've had the pleasure of working with a diverse age group from Pre-k to Seniors, and from Beginners to Advanced. I teach fundamentals and technique, but my primary focus in teaching is to inspire the student to explore their instrument, and what it's capable of. I am much more inclined toward cultivating Artists than I am in cultivating immaculate performers. I have also taught in schools developing original operas with classes that would then perform their pieces, and teaching Songwriting at the Ruth Azawa School of the Arts.
For voice, I will typically start with technique and breath. The first lesson is heavy in feeling the anatomy of the body to cultivate a coordinated breath for the most optimal and healthy singing. From there, we move into warm-ups, and will adjust vowels to find resonant spaces. Generally, with the voice, after the initial work with anatomy there is an improvisatory style of teaching that I develop, catered to the individual. I can accompany the student with the guitar or piano. For beginners in piano, I will typically begin with the Faber workbook. If they have their own workbook that they would like to work from, I will work with that. I teach Circle of Fifths as an early tool to cultivate an understanding of harmonic language, and make it as simple and easy as possible, until the basics become engrained.
My primary goal as a teacher is to develop a love of music within the students. I'm more interested in developing Artists than I am developing "Performers". Perfection is not something that I aspire to as an Artist. Sometimes perfection, and striving for impeccable technique can become on of the biggest hinderances for a Musician to truly embody the stage, and show their passion. While I do have a focus on technique, I tend to find it within the student through their artistry, and I try to allow for that artistry to be the catalyst.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.