Piano with David K.

David is a gifted and highly motivated musician with very diverse talents. The owner of Studio K Music in Geneva, Illinois, he has mentored hundreds of youth and adults in piano and keyboard instruction since 1991. Studio K has become the most successful piano studio in the western suburbs of Chicago, with an enrollment of nearly two hundred students. His secret to success has been helping kids and adults develop a love for piano and keyboard by keeping it fun and using a great deal of popular music, as well as standard repertoire. David is also a highly sought after Christian musician, facilitating worship for large and small events and services throughout the Chicagoland area with his passionate, contemporary style of musical leadership. He is capable at communicating with all different aged groups of people. David graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Keyboard Performance from Northern Illinois University, with an emphasis on organ, jazz piano and harpsichord. Since 1985 he has been a Freelance Jobbing Musician, playing solo piano, jazz quartet, and with various big bands for numerous events, weddings and corporate parties in the Chicago area. In 1990 he coached a student to the Yamaha National Electone Festival Finals, and in 1991, he was himself a finalist, composing a piece dedicated to the war efforts in the Persian Gulf entitled "Persian Gulf Update". In 1997 David released his first solo piano CD entitled “In Search Of Christmas,” which has sold thousands of copies locally. Between 2002 and 2004 he released three CDS: Gift Of Christmas, Jazz Piano Christmas, and the newest album, Journal Of My Soul, an ethereal compilation of original improvisations. *** Lesson Details *** Each one hour, semi-private lesson provides students with the opportunity to practice what they learn, giving them a higher retention level. A half hour private lesson, the student plays pieces, the teacher writes in the notebook, and the time is up! David is the primary instructor for every class and private lesson. Teaching assistants are also on board to ensure that each student receives the instruction and attention needed. The hour allows students to learn more material and drill on the fundamentals: note reading, rhythms, scales and chords, improvisation, etc… Each piano station is equipped with a laptop computer for recording, writing, rhythm drills and music theory work. Once a child has enough recordings compiled, he or she also receives the experience of making a CD of the performances! All of the music the students work on is available for listening and playing along with on this website. A growing library of video help files are also available for individual pieces. David teaches IMPROVISATION, something the most other teachers won't even touch. Here, music theory is put into practice by teaching the students how to create his/her own music and improvise on pieces they play. The class experience gives students the chance to play with others through duet and ensemble pieces, something most private students never have the opportunity to do. *** Studio Equipment *** Home Location- Lessons in upstairs living room, grand piano, also recording studio set up in finished basement Studio K -1000 sq ft, digital pianos, computer *** Specialties *** At Studio K Music, your child will never be bored with the same old fare found at many piano studios. The music we play is exciting and fresh! David has composed and arranged thousands of pieces for his students that will keep your child playing for many years. We use a great deal of popular music along with the classics and all other styles to ensure your child receives a well-rounded piano education. Along with the fundamentals of music such as note reading , rhythm and technique, your child will experience the creative side of music by learning how to improvise and compose, a skill that is seldom taught even among even the best piano educators.