Carmel, IN Singing Lessons

As a student taking lessons with me, I will always put your desires as a musician first, and consider them to be the most important factor in guiding the progress of your lessons. While I will make basic assignments for you to practice for your next lesson, I am always open to including music that you would like to learn. If there is a particular style of music that you would like to study, or even a particular piece of music that you want to learn, please feel free to mention that to me, and I will do my best to find that music to add to your lessons. If at any time you have questions, requests, or comments, please either mention them to me at the lessons, or contact me by phone, text, or email.
I look forward to meeting you, talking with you about your desires and aspirations as a musician, and to guiding you and helping you to reach your goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
I will work with you to find the most convenient time for your lessons. Lessons are given in my home studio. While there will be basic material you will need to learn proficiently, you will be free to select the style of music you wish to study. I always tailor the lessons to suit the student's desires and aspirations as a musician.

*** Studio Equipment ***
office/studio space for lessons; spinet piano; electronic equipment available to play cassettes, CDs, videos, and DVDs either from my own library or yours to assist and/or augment the lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
My piano students are expected to own either a 3-4 octave keyboard, or an acoustic piano. I can give you guidance regarding specific details you need to look for when you purchase an acoustic piano or a keyboard. I do not recommend specific manufacturer names. You will also be required to purchase any necessary materials (books, flashcards, etc.). I provide supplemental materials (teaching games, etc.).

*** Specialties ***
I use a variety of methods, mostly based on the goals of the students. For piano students, I prefer the Bastien Piano Basics method books. For voice student, I use a combination of methods developed by several different voice instructors.

sic and how emotion and spirit play a huge part in memorable music.

I don't believe in brow-beating, but I also don't want to pass over things. I don't believe practice makes perfect, but I do believe practice increases awareness!

I really try hard to help students move beyond the notes on the page. We may listen to music and describe how it makes us feel, or paint pictures both physical and mental of what the music is showing us. That is where I see the soul stepping in.

My Education

As stated before, I started on a little Magnus Organ. My grandmother told me years later that I would listen to television jingles and then try to play them on the organ!

Once we settled in our permanent home, my parents brought home a piano and I began working first with Robert Warnick, a local music teacher in the schools. He taught scales and chords. Then, Midge Bishop took me through John Thompson Grade 3, but then had to move away. Finally, I studied under Victoria Hope, lasting 13 years until I went on to college. She taught me the fine art of piano by continually challenging me to approach each piece as an artwork. She had me use the music to paint the picture. Naturally, the element of the soul came through as I put color to music.

My Experience

Throughout my elementary through high school days, I immersed myself in band, choir and drama. I played piano at church starting very young. I then began trombone in the band during 4th grade. Upon entering high school, I joined choir and participated in marching band, concert band, pep band and jazz band. During those years, I picked up the rest of the brass instruments as needed by my band director. In choir, I excelled both in voice and on piano through accompaniment. Later in high school, I joined up with the drama department where we ultimately had the opportunity to write our own musical. By the time I entered college, I had mastered all the brass instruments, piano and snare drum.

During college, I participated in the marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, trombone choir, several pit orchestras, and the symphony orchestra. I also participated in the choir.

Since that time, I have mastered the woodwinds, organ, drum set guitar and bass guitar and a little violin. I have over 25 years experience teaching lessons. They occurred off and on throughout my younger days.

Subjects Taught

Private lessons on all instruments and voices, Music Theory, Music History, Art History, Architectural History, Acting, set building, lighting and sound.

Specialties

Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, Voice, alto and tenor saxophone, percussion

Formal Education

1984-89 Bachelor of Science in K-12 Music Education
(Choral, Instrumental and General)
Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

1991-95 Master of Divinity in Theology and Ministry
Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana

Ages Taught

5 through 114 (I haven't seen anyone older, have you?) I believe it is a good idea that a child can read the written word. Reading music occurs in similar ways.

*** Lesson Details ***
I ask lots of questions so I can get to know you better. This is also an opportunity for you ask questions of me. At the beginning, I encourage parents to attend so they can see what these lessons entail. I give you assignments to work with and then you play them for me to receive praise and constructive suggestions. I also try to challenge my students to move beyond the normal curriculum to play other things that interest them.

Depending on the instrument and the experience you have helps me determine what curriculum I want to use. Again, I cater my lessons to the needs you have and by how you like to learn!

After 3 to 6 mos, I hope you have a good working knowledge of how music works and are now moving into intermediate level work. However, each student is different and work a different speeds. My main goal is for you to feel successful whenever you leave my studio!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Baby Grand Piano, electronic Keyboard, Drum Set, Snare Drum

us classical choral masterworks at Carnegie Hall in New York City! "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice!"

I've been playing guitar in various bands since a very young age and have recently begun work on my first solo studio album. I am the guitarist in the band Tonight Theater. The styles I enjoy include (but are not limited to) Rock, Jazz, Classical, Reggae, Punk, Progressive Rock, Metal, Experimental, Avant Garde, Pop, Funk, Blues, and Jam. I can assist you with chords, scales, rhythm, improvisation, sight reading and rocking! I can also sing in nearly any style and can help you to do the same.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons will guide you in becoming a well rounded and proficient musician. I strive to ensure your development of healthy technique and encourage you to practice consistently. My biggest commitment as your music teacher is to your steady forward progress. My lessons are specifically designed to solidify your comprehension and to enable your application of the skills being learned. Your music lessons will typically follow this format:

*Tuning of the instrument (if applicable).
*Ear Training: exercises and techniques to develop your listening and aural skills.
*Review of current assignments, techniques, and music theory concepts.
*Introduction of new concepts, techniques, and exercises.
*Work on current repertoire assignments. Songs are chosen by the student and the teacher and are level/age appropriate.
*Final thoughts on the day's lesson and a quick review of key concepts covered.

I look forward to helping you reach your dreams! No goal is too lofty! :)

*** Studio Equipment ***
There is a living room for parents to wait during the lesson if they'd like. My studio contains amplifiers, an upright grand piano, multiple acoustic and electric guitars, some computer recording equipment, and seating for parents to sit in on the lesson if they'd prefer.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Small Tube Amplifier, Music Stand, Tuner, Picks, Teaching Materials.

*** Specialties ***
I pride myself on my distinct ability as a rock guitar improvisor. Improvisation is at the core of my live performance. If you want to hear a song played the same way over and over again, listen to a recording. Live performance, to me, is about constantly providing new life and breath to the material being played. Each distinct performance captures unique attributes only available for channeling at that one moment and it will never be recreated.

rtist I frequently take trips to Nashville for co-writing, recording, and meeting with record labels. I have written with well-known writers like Mia Fieldes from Hillsong, Tony Wood from Provident Label Group, Stu G from Delirious?, and Jon Steingard from Hawk Nelson. I love to mentor students who want to become effective, dynamic songwriters.

My personal passion is contemporary music but I firmly believe that great technique is essential to any and every style. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to become a better musician!

or artist development for musicians & artists of all kinds.

I use a unique-to-you approach in my coaching sessions. Using Life-Coaching practices in musical sessions allows me to dive deeper into goal setting and achievement for greater outcomes in your overall artistic expression and success.

My goal is to help you meet your goal(s) as quickly, accurately, and as efficiently as possible. I strive to coach for fast, meaningful, fulfilling, lasting results that you can actually use and apply in practical, real world musical situations for years to come.

Your friend and coach,

- Jake

nd Betsy Burleigh. My performance credits include Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Requiem, and Vesperae solennes de confessore with the Choral Art Society of New Jersey, as well as selections from Bizet’s Carmen and Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 as the Hershey Symphony Orchestra’s guest soloist in Hershey, Pennsylvania.