Voice Lessons in Riverside, IL

Instruments: Voice

I break up lessons into three parts - warmups/breathing exercises, learning a song, and acting the song. Warmups prepare the voice to sing without any strain. I also implement vocal exercises during warmups where we work on range and quality. During the first lesson with the student, I get to know what they want to work towards in terms of repertoire and suggest a few pieces. We will typically add one or two songs per week in order to build a solid repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; I'm teaching. I’m an avid columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine and I sing/play guitar for one of Chicago's best Nirvana tributes called Smells Like Nirvana. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I offer classes for adults and children according to the Seth Riggs and Brett Manning techniques, with the help of which the vocal apparatus and natural resonators are developed to the maximum. We study the theory for the vocalist, modern styles. We will practice a sense of rhythm, improvisation, work with a microphone. I work with picking, range, smooth transitions of registers, filling voice, vibration. I show a variety of vocal sounds and manners, helping to personalize the singing style. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Generally, I like to discuss what kind of music the students are interested in studying first. Then, after vocalizing and assessing the voice, I'll start the students with English art songs or 24 Italian Songs Arias, or some classic music theater repertoire. From there, the student and I will assess what best fits the student's interest. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

I continued teaching private lessons, while also conducting a high school youth choir in Chicagoland after moving to IL. After a few years my family and I moved to the greater Cincinnati area where I currently teach as a high school choral and drama teacher while serving as the theatre manager as well. I strongly encourage my students to learn to communicate with their music; while building strong technique and working on artistic expression, I want each student to be able to use music as a language. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I personally really enjoy the Hal Leonard series of method books for guitar and bass. I find them comprehensive, but not bloated, and very easy to understand without being dumbed down at all. I plan to use the Guitar Method and Bass Method books, both Complete Edition (comprised of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced method books), in combination with the Hal Leonard Music Theory book, which is aimed at stringed instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

The student will learn music theory and of course also how to sing or play the piano. I always use a combination of what the student needs and also what the student wants to play.For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. 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. Read More