Kathleen D.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  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.

  
• Background Check Complete

  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: No
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Piano, Clarinet, Music Theory

Education

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Music (Clarinet) Performance - '03-'07 (Bachelor's degree received)

Specialties

I specialize in classical clarinet and piano.

Lesson Details

I want my students to leave their lessons with skills and confidence that will help them in all areas of life. It is important to me that I give my students the ability to keep learning outside of our lessons. I believe that music is an art form that should be explored and can be enjoyed by all!

Working with beginners is my specialty. I understand that each student learns differently, and finding the right method for my students is very important to me.

Piano and clarinet lessons begin ... with an assessment of ability and setting of goals. I like to use the Faber and Faber piano series with my piano students. Clarinet method books depend on the experience level of the student. All lessons are a combination of theory, instrumental/performance technique, and ear training.

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About

Growing up, I participated in every musical activity I could find: from choir to handbells, concert bands to jazz bands, and marching bands to rock bands. I loved performing with every type of group I was a part of, but I decided to focus on classical clarinet performance in college. I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2007 with a B.M. in Clarinet Performance. Since then, I have revisited some of my former favorite pastimes: I teach handchime classes in schools, play ... in a rock band, and work for a jazz-oriented music/tutoring program.

I have been fortunate to have already performed several memorable concerts with highly skilled ensembles such as the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Wheaton Municipal Band, and the UIUC Wind Symphony. CJP is a one of a kind jazz orchestra, and with them I have performed two very well-received concerts at the Auditorium Theatre and one outstanding performance at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in 2008, honoring Nelson Mandela. The orchestra blends two of my favorite styles of music: classical and jazz. The Wheaton Municipal Band is a more traditional band in the Chicago suburbs: playing marches, classical favorites, and pop medleys. Throughout the summer, the band gives free top-notch performances in Wheaton's Memorial Park. The UIUC Wind Symphony performance at Carnegie hall in 2006 will remain one of my favorite musical memories for the rest of my life. I have played clarinet on each of these concerts. I use my keyboard skills to perform at venues around Chicago (including Metro, Schuba's and Lincoln Hall) with Nick Miller & the Neighbors.

My diverse musical interests motivate me to teach. I enjoy sharing my love for music and artistic expression with students of all ages. I began teaching young clarinet students privately in 2000, while still in high school. After I began teaching group piano lessons in Chicago public schools in 2007, I decided to start teaching private piano lessons. Piano was the first instrument I took lessons on, and it has turned out to be my favorite instrument to teach beginners. I appreciate the freedom private lessons offer me as a teacher to tailor the lesson to the individual student. I understand there are many ways of learning and believe there are at least as many ways of teaching. My goal as a teacher is to pass on lessons of patience, creativity, appreciation, confidence and dedication to my students. I hope my students will apply these lessons to their musical studies and throughout all areas of their lives.

Music has been an incredibly powerful force in my life, and I love to bring it to others through instruction and performance. The best thing about music is it can touch anyone, even someone who has not studied it. However, I believe learning to playing an instrument will always deepen one's musical appreciation, while being a fun a rewarding experience.

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