Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with
our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference
checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's
employment with us.
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Criminal Background Check
In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough
criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace,
multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: Yes
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Music Theory, Upright Bass
Education
UWRF - Music Ed. - 2007-2009 (Bachelor's degree received)
UM - Music - 2005-2007
RCTC - Music Technology - 2003-2005 (Degree received)
Specialties
Rock & Roll, Pop, Jazz, Classical
Lesson Details
From lessons, to practices and performances, each step of learning to play an instrument should be fun!
Each Private Lesson is Individualized In our first lessons together, we will start simple, working steadily toward your musical goals. As we get to know each other, we will personalize your lessons towards your individual interests, strengths, and learning style.
Each of Us is Responsible for Your Success As a student it is your responsibility to set goals and put in effort both
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during lessons and outside practice. As a teacher it is my responsibility to create lessons that fit your learning style in addition to motivating, supporting and guiding you towards your goals.
Lessons are Enjoyable I firmly believe that there are always new things to learn and that there are many fun ways to do it! We will work together to create new and enjoyable ways to learn music!!
Lessons for Beginning Musicians Beginning students will have the opportunity to play a song the very first lesson. We will start you off using non-traditional notation so that you can focus on the very important basics like how to hold your instrument; achieve proper technique; get good tone; play varied pitches; and keep a steady beat. Once these essentials are mastered, we will explore traditional tablature and staff notation, in other words, you will learn to read music.
Lessons for Intermediate/Advanced Musicians Students that have past musical experience will expand on the concepts mentioned for beginners. As students advance, we will begin to explore more a challenging repertoire in more diverse genres, including jazz, classical, blues, folk and pop. The biggest concept we focus on in advanced lessons is learning how to play songs/pieces whether through notation, chord charts, or by ear. Other important concepts include improvisation and composition.
Learning music is a challenge that I face with pleasure, passion and persistence. While doing so, I’ve learned to face other life challenges as well. For me, music is a way of life.
Currently, I play regularly with three different groups. In doing so, I get to play blues, rock & roll, and jazz. At shows you may see me playing electric bass, upright bass, or keyboards depending on the night. During the week I teach lessons to a wide range of ages and abilities.
Playing music
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quickly became my passion when I started playing at 15 years old. The electric bass was my first instrument, but guitar, drums and keyboards promptly followed. During these early years, I was playing with anyone in my small town who knew how to play at a venue which allowed young musicians.
There were many years of playing for fun between those days and when I first decided to make music a bigger part of my life. My initial step was to return to college to study electronic music and recording techniques. During this time, I picked up the upright bass and started playing jazz. I began performing with the college’s wind band, playing for musical productions, and providing the bass line for a house band during open mic nights.
Playing diverse genres and in varied settings brought me to the realization that I enjoyed delving into the greater depths of music and wanted to share music with others through teaching. With this new focus, I began teaching private lessons at a music store in River Falls and pursing my music education degree. Since graduating in 2009, I’ve run an after school guitar club, taught summers at a music camp, and worked as a sub for music teachers in the metro area in addition to continuing to teach private lessons. I’ve now been teaching privately for six years.
Well, after writing this condensed story of my musical and educational accomplishments, I see that I’ve left out how I really got here. Throughout this journey I have been faced with many life challenges that once seemed impossible to overcome, but, through music, I have done just that. This is what music is all about for me, something to learn from and help shape us into who we are. I am passionate about continuing to learn through music and helping others to shape their own musical personalities.
