Viola Lessons in Independence, MO

Instruments: Violin Viola

The experience I had started with was a community center in an underprivileged area of Kansas city in 1973 as a Senior in High School and extended to many retail establishments of the Kansas city metro and beyond. I have also taught private lessons in my residence and in homes of many students during the pandemic. For nearly 20 years I have taught all ages at the Kansas city strings in Merriam Kansas as independently contracted teacher. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I start with the "I Can Read Music" and Suzuki Book 1. I am not a certified Suzuki teacher, nor do I teach in sync with the Suzuki style, but I do use the Suzuki book repertoire as I like the progression of ideas presented in the series. For middle school and high school students, I often work on all-district and all-state audition repertoire, prepare the students for school orchestra playing exams, or help them with tricky spots in their school orchestra pieces. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For beginning students, children and adults, I start out with my own material that I have created over the past five years. I use it to start technique, note reading, and rhythm. Once the student completes the material, I move them to Suzuki books, etudes, and other pieces. I like to get student input when choosing music. I believe that the student will be more engaged in the lessons and practice when they are playing something that they enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Clarinet

I have been teaching lessons since High School. Back then, I mostly taught beginner students on the Piano. Since College, I have expanded my teaching repertoir to include Piano, Organ, Violin, and Viola. For the past 7 years, I have been teaching and instructing my students on the best practices as blossoming musicians. Nothing can make you a better musician than practice and consistency. No matter what genre of music you are interested in, you must practice.There will always be times were you have toforce yourself to practice (because it won't always be fun), but the gains are never dull.It has been my experience that those students who apply themselves diligently, love to play the songs that they have mastered over and over again. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginners I use a method book for learning how to read music and learn music theory.  Once the basics are attained I introduce scales and etudes to build on the technical aspects of playing the instrument.  Solo books are also added to the repertoire for the student so that they can use everything they have learned thus far and express that in a piece of music. Younger children will not do as much music reading in the beginning of lessons. Read More