Violin with Casey U.

I grew up with a very musical family. My grandpa sung with the Kansas City Opera Company, my grandma was a very talented pianist, singer, and music theorist, and my mother has played the piano since the age of 4, minored in piano performance, and to this day is a Music Therapist. Music is in my blood and is a great passion of mine. I started playing the violin at the age of 6 and have loved it ever since. Through my elementary, middle school, and high school years I completed the Suzuki method and went beyond, completed the Essential methods program, as well as participated in the Solo and Ensemble competition and having many successful performances. After graduation from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, WI, I traveled to Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa where I completed my bachelor’s degree in music performance. I had many wonderful musical experiences during my college career with studying under the assistant concertmaster of the Dubuque Symphony, performing with the Loras College Choir, Loras College Wind Ensemble, Loras College String Quartet, and MANY masses. I also took many courses that focused on music education and teaching strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. Outside of my course work at the college I taught privately to one of the professor’s kids. Through the experience of teaching privately and seeing the rewards coming out of it, teaching became my passion and I knew after college I wanted to start teaching privately once I settled back home. After graduation from Loras College in 2009, I moved back to Milwaukee where I married my husband and settled into our first home. I became involved with the Milwaukee Summer Philharmonia under the direction of Ralph Lane, and I am still involved with the group every summer. I also have been part of the Concord Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jamin Hoffman for the past 2 years and it has been a wonderful experience. Now that my music studio is finished in my house, I am ready to take on teaching students and help create or continue creating their musical journey. *** Lesson Details *** I love teaching, I love music, and I'm very passionate about it! I aim for my lessons to be fun yet instructive. I try to make my students feel welcome versus scared or tense when they come into a lesson. Music is fun and a passion of mine and I want to show that to my students and inspire them whether you are learning an instrument to make a career out of or just for fun! My lessons are a little laid back, but I'm not afraid to be strict if I have to be. I focus mainly on classical styles of music, but will throw in some fun songs to keep it entertaining! The two main curriculum I use are the Suzuki Method and the Essential Techniques Method. For beginners my main focus is getting the right technique down pat. The technique (i.e. holding the instrument, proper posture, etc) is the foundation to playing the instrument and comfortably playing. After about 3 months I would like to have my students learn the technique so it is a natural habit for them and knowing a couple of the songs from the Suzuki method. After about 6 months I would like to have my students be a good chunk of the way through the first Suzuki book as well as feel very comfortable with some of the basic scales. I make each of my lessons unique for each student and their strengths and weaknesses. I love to teach and help my students past their blocks and weaknesses and reward them when they do! *** Studio Equipment *** Music room w/ piano, music stands, and seating for parents *** Specialties *** The two main methods I use to teach are the Essential Elements methods and the Suzuki book methods. I was taught and brought up on both methods and both have been very helpful to me and continue to be to this day.