Guitar with Joe P.

It's my goal to help you become an independent musician that enjoys making music. Making music is fun, and this is a guiding philosophy behind our lessons. I am a certified K-12 Music Teacher and have a Bachelor of Science in Vocal Music Education degree from Northwest Missouri State University, and I am currently working on a Masters in Instructional Technology. I know how to teach each individual to reach their full potential through individualized lessons and research based best practices in music education. Currently, I am a middle school music teacher in the Kansas City area, so I am putting these ideas into practical classroom teaching every day! I am also a member of NAFME, the National Association for Music Education. With my background in education, I can help the beginner get excited and confident about making music, as well as show they advanced student not only the "how" of music but also the "why"; breaking down music theory and composition to show the student the ins and outs of various genres of music. Basically, you will learn to play and sing and know what you are doing! I can help you get started, as well as take the student who has been playing for a while and take you to the next level. I specialize in classical, folk, rock and jazz styles for piano and guitar as well as classical, pop, and Broadway singing for voice. I have performed in big bands, jazz combos, professional choirs, rock bands, and various other ensembles in Missouri and the Kansas City area. I have also conducted and arranged music for pit orchestras for musicals, choirs, and have given master classes in vocal technique. Looking forward to helping you make music! *** Lesson Details *** By the end of each lesson, the student will be a better musician and discover another way to enjoy making music. This will be done in a relaxed environment with specific measurable goals that each student will meet and gain confidence, along with using the TakeLessons S.T.A.R. Program to track student success. For children, emphasis will be placed on solid foundations in: proper technique (posture, tone production, and other technical aspects) and foundations in music theory. That being said, it will not be straight working out of the book and technical exercises every lesson, but presented through games and fun actvities augmented with other instruments such as shakers, BOOMwhackers, and Orff related instruments to make the instruction geared towards using all of the intellegences to maximize the student's time and potential, and not to mention FUN!!!! For young adult and adult students, we will focus on specific goals as well and use a mix of traditional practices as well as modern music to achieve our goals. Each and every student is different, so the curriculum will be adjusted accordingly. These lessons will feature emphasis on composing, theory, and I recommend study into the student's favorite genre of music. Overall, each lesson will be fun and engaging and you will leave wanting to learn more and looking forward to the next one! *** Specialties *** I specialize in jazz for piano as well as guitar. I am also qualified to train young singers and developing voices to mature in healthy manner using the best practices in vocal technique. I also have arranged and composed music for developing voices as well as rock band, jazz groups, and vocal ensembles and am qualified to teach beginning and advanced composition students. I also have basic programming knowledge and can aid in creating podcasts for beginners.