Piano with Monica S.

I am a flutist, keyboardist, vocalist, director, composer, arranger, and educator who has performed in chamber ensembles specializing in Baroque repertoire since 1998. I have over twenty years of professional flute and piano performance as well as instruction on those instruments to my credit. My studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison covered the theoretical, historical, and performing aspects of music. My coursework in Madison led me to researching the secular cantatas of Christoph Graupner in Darmstadt, Germany on a Fulbright. In addition to interest in performing newly-composed music for traverso and harpsichord, my recent work with many different people as a church music director has led me back to a want to teach full time. Helping students of any age learn to play the flute, recorder, fife, traverso (baroque flute), or piano as well as furthering knowledge in sight-reading, improvisation, and history is the goal. Additionally, I want to help music students of all ages find other people just as passionate about music with whom they could collaborate. I look forward to working with you. *** Lesson Details *** My lesson formats are tailored to the individual student. There are many different kinds of learning styles out there, and I try to use what I've found to be the most efficient approach and then form it to the student's needs. I have experience with various published methods, preferring to work with the Rubank method books with other supplemental solo and etudes for later use for my flute students, and I prefer the Adventures in Piano and Wonderkeys methods for piano. (Please note that, if you have a particular method or publication you wish to continue, I have successfully adapted my teaching plan to many and can do so for you as well.) I have experience working with students with challenges such as ADD and autism. Though my approach is laid back, I cover a lot of ground. In this way, we can work together to get you playing a melody with a fairly wide range (on flute) or a simple piece with hands together in a reasonable time. I can also help with learning basic improvisation, sight-reading, ear-training, and other helpful music theory skills. *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons in music room, digital piano, music stand, chairs. *** Travel Equipment *** At times, I can bring new books for purchase, or sight-reading materials. I expect the flute student to have a flute, a music stand, a 3-ring binder, and music for the lesson. I expect the piano student to have an instrument at home on which to practice, and should bring a 3-ring binder and music for the lesson. *** Specialties *** I consider myself a good all-purpose flute teacher, but I do specialize in baroque style and ornamentation. If I inherit a student who has already studied with someone else, and s/he is on a budget, I will work with whatever method they have already purchased. I prefer the Rubank books for starting out with flute students because it covers the various keys more equally, so students don't get stuck in playing only in Bb Major. I adapt them to the age and learning style of the student to make it easier to learn. It will be likely that I will begin offering fife-to-flute lessons for the younger ones, for whom the flute is too big. Future plans include getting certified in Suzuki flute instruction, so watch for that! In addition to teaching regular piano/keyboard lessons, I also offer Wunderkeys lessons. Wunderkeys is an approach for piano lessons for preschoolers. I am passionate about chamber music. Getting a chance to get people to work together by playing music together is such a wonderful opportunity.