Noblesville Music 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.

er forest Orchestra, Skokie Symphony, Lira Ensemble, Highland Park).
I have been teaching piano, music theory and French horn in the Chicago area for five years. I enjoy working with both children and adults.
To broaden my knowledge about teaching I completed courses: Studio Teaching as a Career, Teaching Excellence, and Brass concepts at DePaul University.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students will learn to play piano or horn in a pleasant atmosphere. Additionally they will learn elements of music theory so they can quickly start to play on their own. This will broaden their understanding of music and they will be able play pieces they like. I have method books and studies for any level of playing, but students are welcome to bring their own. I think anyone can learn to play and I can help to achieve this dream. I recommend the book by Daniel Coyle: The Talent Code. Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.

*** Studio Equipment ***
DePaul University - regular pianos available rooms reserved
At Home Studio- Casio keyboard in living room, french horn,
seating for parents.
In case of horn students they would have to have their own mouthpiece and later on their own instrument. I have breathing equipment to help with playing as well.

*** Travel Equipment ***
My method of transportation would be CTA and walking :)

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in fun and effective teaching. I teach piano, french horn, music theory, ear training. Music is fun and this is how I teach.

lly Middle School and Paige's Music. Through the years I have learned to adjust my teaching technique to match each individual, whether it be the music difficulty, learning pace, or musical genre preference. I have taught trumpet students of all ages and abilities, as well as beginning and intermediate piano and french horn. I look forward to helping you make beautiful music on your instrument!

My teaching philosophy

Private lessons are a one on one experience that give students guidance on their specific musical needs. Rather than only working on pieces for un upcoming audition or competition, I emphasize working on a variety of repertoire that will improve all aspects of one’s musicianship. Lessons are not a weekly practice or coaching session, but rather a time for me to help students with what they have already been practicing. More specifically, I help with embouchure formation, tone production, note reading, practice technique, musical phrasing, breathing, performance anxiety, rhythm, music theory, bad habits, or anything that will help the student make better music in the long term. I also frequently provide musical examples and inspiration by playing for my students.

Lesson Policies

Students are required to practice a minimum of fifteen to forty-five minutes per day (depending on the student’s age), six days per week.

Students are responsible for purchasing their own lesson materials, such as books, valve oil, metronome, etc. Piano students must also have a well maintained piano to practice on. High quality electric keyboards with 88 keys, weighted and touch sensitive, are acceptable.

I have a 24-hour lesson rescheduling policy. If a student fails to provide notice via phone, text or email at least 24 hours prior to the starting time of the lesson, or misses a lesson unannounced, they will be charged for the full lesson cost. If adequate notification is given, the lesson will be made up at a later date. Lessons MAY NOT BE MISSED WITHOUT MAKEUP. I do, however, allow students to miss lessons without makeup during the months of November (up to one lesson), December and August (up to two lessons each month) and July (no limit), and one lesson for spring break.

With rare exception, all of my students take weekly lessons. Students who keep a regular, weekly schedule improve at a far better pace than those who miss frequently.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Baldwin upright piano
Clavinova keyboard with weighted keys

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide no equipment

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical, jazz, and commercial, having experience in all three areas. I teach a lot of ear training and music theory regardless of the instrument.

aduated high school, he has been continuously presented with teaching opportunities. At the time, though, music was not looking like the best course of action for him. With the aid of Chad Kohler, Alex then began getting more involved with teaching percussion. Alex eventually went on to arranging his own parts for his students, as well as composing original percussion ensemble pieces. Alex is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Music Technology at IUPUI.

In the time since he has been out of high school, he has taught at a number of schools including the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, North Putnam Jr./Sr. High School, Broad Ripple Magnet School for the Arts & Humanities, and Lawrence Central. He has also taught at Arlington High School and Short Ridge High School.

When it comes to teaching music, what is known to be as the “Holy Trinity” comes to mind. While teaching I personally believe that it is important to challenge students just enough so that they are not discouraged and are still able to have fun.

The Holy Trinity plays a big role in this. What it consists of is embracing your students from all angles. This would be from ensembles and private lessons, which in turn then encourage them to practice. Ensemble, private lessons, and practicing are the three main categories that make up the “Holy Trinity.” And in using this, you can also be more involved with your students as well. It is always a good idea be friend your students as well and not just be the “teacher.” There is a great quote that goes like this, “They will never care about how much you know, until they know how much you care.” In which case has been proven to be very true time and time again.

It is important as a teacher to be able to inspire your students and to encourage them. Which is why I think it is important to be a good friend as well to your students. This way a kind of trust is formed and in turn can easily lead to the success of a music program. Also I do believe that it is important to expose students to as many forms of music as possible. This way they are not just stuck in one kind of mind set and if they choose to go into music for their career, then they have many different experiences they can pull and relate from. Plus they will also have some more knowledge of different cultures and music genres that can help not only create better music but also be more overall worldly in their personal life out side of music. Being able to learn about music is very important, and can easily impact a student’s life in many different ways that most subjects just do not have the capability to. This is what I believe about learning music and why I also love to teach it. I want my students to be able to have all the same great experiences I have had and more. Which is why I personally believe so heavily in a good music education.

*** Lesson Details ***
Although the approach to teaching that I use comes across as being pretty laid back, I do expect what some might consider to be a lot out of my students. This is because I want to make sure that my students will be successful as musicians.

While a student is studying with me; they will learn about percussion from multiple angles. They will learn and be able to understand many basic music theory terms and principles. They will also learn how each percussion instrument is tied to one another in technique and how to easily transition from instrument to instrument.

Depending on the age of the student, after about three months of studying with me, the student will know a few major scales, most of the standard American rudiments, and some basic drum set concepts. After 6 months, the student will know all 12 major scales, be familiar with all 40 snare drum rudiments, and know a good portion of basic drum set.

Please keep in mind that results may vary depending on the age of the student and the amount of practicing they do on their own. Results also depend upon whether or not they are practicing correctly, which is something they will also learn how to do with me.

*** Studio Equipment ***
In-studio lessons in basement with acoustic drum set. Street parking or drive way. Seating available for parents.

Lessons at the High School will be in the band room with their equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I mostly specialize in marching percussion as well as 2 and 4 mallet percussion.

goals of each student. I was a church organist and accompanist for many years.

when he joined the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets as a snare drummer in 2003. During his membership, the corps won the Best Percussion Caption Award twice and the DCI Open Class World Championship in 2008. His passion and dedication as a marimba soloist were on display when he performed the world premier of Nathan Daughtrey's Halcyon Days with the CSULB Percussion Ensemble. Since beginning his studies at the Jacobs School of Music, Andrew has recorded and performed as the bongocero with seven time Grammy nominee Wayne Wallace in the IU Latin Jazz Ensemble.

sters from IU, and Performers Certificate from IU, all in percussion performance.
Teaching is a passion of mine, and I want to teach more from my home rather than Butler or IU. I love teaching students of any age and level of playing!

Leung and Dr. Kate Boyd. She holds a BM degree in performance from Wright State University. Most recently, she has been accepted into Butler University's graduate program with a collaborative piano assistantship where she plans to continue her studies this fall. Her awards include the Pemberton-Toomey Piano Scholarship, Sophie Kerrigan Memorial Scholarship, Irene Romanowski Piano Scholarship, and Harley Flack Memorial Scholarship.

ave high standards. The students who study with me and stay in the lessons play well.