Riverdale Music Lessons

I don’t use the same strategy for each individual. I believe music should be fun and rewarding. I like to expose students to many different types of music, i.e.; jazz, pop, blues, folk and of course, classical. Students are more likely to practice music that speaks to their personality.

My teaching environment is very laid back. I expect my students to practice, but I don’t read them the riot act if they show up to a lesson not having practiced much the week before. I encourage them to practice more the next week and I give them strategies for how to fit practice time into their schedule along with the most efficient way to practice their pieces.

I encourage parents to sit in on their child’s lesson, but I don’t require it. The more a parent is informed about their child’s goals, the better they are able to assist, support and facilitate the student’s practice. Involved parents contribute greatly to a child’s success.

I love teaching adults too! It is never too late to learn an instrument and the rewards carry over into all aspects of life. As with children, music makes us all smarter. Research proves this. We learn complicated spacial and math skills without even realizing it; we’re having too much fun!

I have annual recitals for private students. I speak Spanish.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Basement studio finished and separate from house

*** Travel Equipment ***
Sometimes music. I can refer students to instrument rental or purchase places, but do not have instruments to provide. I can obtain music for the students if they prefer, otherwise I will tell them what and where to buy.

*** Specialties ***
I use Suzuki and other books for material, but my teaching is more traditional. I use actual bowhold from start. My own invention - pinky AND thumb houses. Music reading is introduced fairly early. A little at a time and it's painless.

ions that are placed on students in order for them to succeed. In college, I was the head student researcher on a two-year lab project. I took several upper level science courses including: biochemistry, calculus, organic chemistry, calculus based physics, cell biology, anatomy, and physiology. I studied marine biology in the Virgin Islands and am CPR certified.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice lessons with me are fun and effective. You can expect to hear improved technique from day one, eventually reaching your long term goals. I begin every lesson aligning the students voice through various vocal warm ups and exercises. We then work together to pick repertoire that will suit the singer'€™s voice and they will enjoy singing. During a lesson we will also cover performance presentation, acting, diction, rhythm, musicality, style, and interpretation.

During tutoring you can expect a personalized plan based on your goals and aspirations. Since every student is different you can be assured we will come up with a plan that is designed just for you. I am a laid back tutor but will be sure to get the most out of you after our time together. Most students see at least a one letter grade improvement. My main goal for every tutoring session is student learning and comprehension.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, recording equipment, large collection of sheet music

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in helping students find their true singing voice.

.) chose to work in Costa Rica 1982-1984 before calling Chicago home in 1986. My performances have usually been of scored acoustic vocal and choral soprano in mainly traditional formats. I teach private lessons in classical vocal technique from a body awareness perspective, how to sight-read keyboard scores, and music theory translated into something that makes sense.

Consider private singing and voice, music theory, or piano lessons with me. You should sign up for music theory lessons unless you either want to do the physical work it takes to be a better singer, or if you own a "real" piano. Music theory lessons are the most flexible option for general curiosity.

Approaching vocal technique from a physical perspective allows us to discover the student's unique and true voice. Reading paper piano music at first sight means you can play it without knowing the song. Music theory is essential to understanding how and why the art works the way it does. Most students need help ditching the confusing silliness they've already been exposed to, and putting together the pieces of the numbers puzzle we call melody, harmony, and rhythm.

Why sing or play piano? Do you want improved balance, posture, relaxation, abdominal strength, confidence, cultural awareness, emotional expression, memory support, and stress relief? You'd be surprised how many people take lessons just to feel better. I can't guarantee you'll have the same results, but I promise you'll know if you want to pay me more money or not after about five lessons.

Label me Traditional, or Classical, or even Persnickety, but we all transcend labels. I can perform opera, simplify unifying concepts, teach folk singing, direct a church choir, suggest country repertoire, coach performance charisma, and even officiate a marriage ceremony as a Dudeist Priest. I also bake a mean pie.

Complete beginners are welcome in all areas. Advanced lessons are available for voice only. In my studio I teach adults only. Singing and voice lessons have minimum 45min duration. Prices for lessons at my studio are $30 for 30min, $41 for 45min, and $50 for 60min. Online lessons, available for singing and theory but not piano, are the same price. Schedule-As-You-Go lessons with no recurring schedule slot are an option, if you prefer that to taking a lesson the same time every single week.

My teaching studio is a residential office on a high second floor walk-up near the intersection of Chicago and Ashland. I might be able to travel within East Village / Ukrainian Village / Wicker Park / Noble Square for an additional $15 travel fee. If I travel to your location, we can negotiate younger ages and group fees.

What do you want to learn? As partners, the student and I build a plan, balancing current aspirations with proven methods. I work with the paper music and workbooks you already own, and TAILOR THE LESSONS TOWARD PRACTICAL VALUE. On the other hand, I believe I have an ethical responsibility to provide a minimum of classical instruction.

I honor the opportunity to share the joy of music with you.

Upfront deal breakers:
• Communication outside of lesson time will be mainly internet and email. The email address in your profile must be a valid form of official business communication.
• Students may not bring pets, children, or guests to the lesson. A quietly observing adult guest is welcome with 48-hour notice.
• My students know if they use too much fragrance, whether it be laundry scent boosters or hair treatments, they may be refused entrance into my studio. It's a big deal.
• You pay for any lessons not canceled or rescheduled before the 24-hour deadline, whether you attend or not. Do not be near me when you are contagiously ill. Ask me to forgive late cancellations caused by true emergencies, but realize I don’t have to.
• If you are a singing student, you need a place where you can practice. Prior to your first cancellation deadline, you must read the "Your First Singing Lesson" section found on each Singing or Voice Subject Page.
• If you want to learn how to read keyboard scores or understand how to play keyboard by ear, sign up for Music Theory. If you don’t have regular access to something that can legally be called a piano, including weighted keys and a damper pedal, sign up for Music Theory. Repeat: if you can’t practice on a real piano, don’t take Piano lessons. Music Theory lessons will probably teach you what you want to learn, anyway.

Ask me a question using the Ask-A-Question feature. Watch my videos and think about it. I'm a good teacher. I sincerely appreciate the time it took you to read my profile. Thank you.

ant Park, The Jazz Showcase, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Cubby Bear, Schubas Tavern, Beat Kitchen, Reggies, Subterranean, Bottom Lounge, and many others, as well as performances all over the United States, Ireland, and England. He has also contributed to some half-dozen albums by various artists. For much of the year he keeps busy playing both on stage and in the orchestra pits of musical theater productions for companies such as Porchlight Music Theater, NightBlue Performing Arts Company, and The Royal George Theater.

He loves helping students to become the best musicians they can be, and tailors his teaching style and material to suit each individual.

re year of high school to be precise, I was walking by the piano in the living room of my house and felt a small tug to sit down and try to plunk out a few measures of a slightly familiar song; ever since then, I have not been quite able to stop wanting to keep learning!

Throughout the four years I studied and enhanced my skills at Elmhurst College, I took private lessons for Piano, Classical Guitar, and Voice, and I have completed four levels of Music Theory. I am organized, hard~working, detail~oriented, accustomed to working with people of a variety of age groups and learning preferences, sociable, adaptable, easy to get along with, fair, creative, pro~active, and proficient in English and Spanish.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact TakeLessons and I wish you the best in your future music studies!

Paulette L.

ck and say they really enjoyed their lessons with me.

s experience tutoring both. She is also an advanced speaker of Italian.

een coaching a handful of American students to winning the Illinois Grade School Music Association State & Solo Ensemble Contest. All students are held to high standards and given unique attention and curricula.
 
From 2009 to 2015, Miss Odazaki worked for the social project: "Projeto Guri Santa Marcelina" where she has taught theory classes and served as a vocal staff accompanist. This is a social project that aims to improve the lives of impoverished Brazilian children through music education. She was also a staff member of Yamaha Music School (the first school of its kind in Brazil), where she organized and instructed piano lessons and Junior Music Courses. Here she received training from official Yamaha instructors from Japan.

Miss Odazaki has been an active participant in master-classes with several renowned pianists such as Olga Kiun (Russia-Brazil), Ronan O'Hara (England), Piotr Banasik (Poland), Caio Pagano (Brazil-USA), Flavio Varani (Brazil-USA), Maciej Pikulski (Poland), Frank Braley (France) and Marcos Fregnani (Brazil-Germany).

She believes that a good teacher is also a good performer who never stops seeking and practicing. Because of that, she decided to move to the United States to pursue her MM in Piano Performance at Southern Illinois University and studied with Dr. Junghwa Lee.
 
During her first semester she was the winner of the concerto competition “Stars of Altgeld”. This gave her the opportunity to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto N. 20 in D minor, K. 466. as a soloist with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra.