Voice Lessons in Gold Bar, WA

Instruments: Voice Music

My mission statement is To teach with encouragement, humor, patience, and simple terminology, using applied science and body-awareness, all with the goal of vocal expressiveness. I always create a safe, supportive environment where my students can learn to express themselves through singing effectively. I use the McClosky Technique that employs applied science to help my students to sing with complete relaxation and freedom applied to any style of singing. My philosophy of teaching is based on the fact that working on voice technique is really an athletic process, and follows these principles: o A good voice teacher will let your true voice reveal itself, then follow it wherever it goes with encouragement and well-informed instruction. o A good voice teacher wont jump to conclusions about your voice but listen to how you describe your own experience and take it from there. o A good voice teacher will engage in deep listening with the goal of achieving complete relaxation when singing and speaking. o A good voice teacher will help you learn how to feel your body guiding you. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Guitar: For children, I begin with simple folk songs to teach them chords and strums. From there, we progress to picking patterns. For teens and adults, I use both folk songs and easy pop music. For both age groups, I encourage note reading and some classical work. For classical guitar, I use technique books by Aaron Shearer. Voice: I put a great deal of focus on breathing, open throat and support. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice French Horn Music

In the same genre, I have taught and coached pianists and pit players to adopt the nuances of musical theatre music. In the classical world, I have coached chamber music, solo and group improvisation, jazz combos, choral ensembles, solo vocalists, and piano soloists. When I was an undergraduate, I took courses in choral, woodwind, string, percussion, and brass pedagogy. I find teaching music to be an act of listening deeply and responding from my gut, my experience, and my heart. Read More

Instruments: Voice Violin

In 2014, I began teaching students privately. I taught multiple students of different ages, with a range from early childhood to late adulthood. Most of my students were beginners, and we worked together for over a year. By the end of our time together, they were able to play fairly advanced music for the time they had been playing, such as "La Folia" by Corelli and "Jesu, the Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I will casually introduce and regularly reinforce music theory concepts to give the student a general understanding of what they are learning and how everything connects, enabling them with the ability to learn music by listening to a piece and reading rudimentary chords, as opposed to being locked in to only reading sheet music. Thanks to the power of the internet, it tends to be incredibly easy to find reliable sheet music, chords and YouTube videos that I can send the student home with to practice in their free time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Organ Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

It depends on what the student wants to learn. I am there for them. I do make recommendations such as teaching out of a Hal Leonard instructions books (for beginners) and or CD's Play along CD's. , Chord Theories, voicing s and improvisational techniques for the intermediate students ( i.e. basic blues) if they choose to. I also like for them to record their progress (such as picking a basic tune they have learned) if possible so they can get an idea of what they sound like as another recommendation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Acoustic Guitar

I try to make the learning fun and interesting for my students. My goal is to have them look forward to their next lesson and make learning their instrument something they value. I believe every student progresses at their own pace. I make sure the lesson is at a level they can handle, but challenging enough to give them a sense of accomplishment when they achieve success. Music can provide lifelong benefits of building confidence, self discipline, improved brain functioning in the area of math and reading, and the enjoyment of performing their skill with other musicians. Read More