Woodburn Music Lessons

, struggling for years to find their own unique voice.

The KEY difference between professional vocalists and average singers is (9 times out of 10) the presence of an influential teacher/mentor!

The right teacher/mentor pushes you to grow continuously; beyond what you think is possible. The right teacher/mentor has wisdom and information to share from inside the music industry. The right teacher/mentor genuinely cares about you as a person.

I teach so that I can be that life-changing mentor for my students, giving them that missing link for success.

About me:
I grew up in NYC and "cut my teeth" across a variety of genres: rock, jazz, R&B, gospel and choral/classical. You name it; I've sung it. In addition to being a vocal coach, I travel the nation as a musician/performing artist, professional speaker and author. Please take a moment to watch the video clip below.

Unlike most teachers that take on any/all students, I limit my roster to 15 students at any given time. During our first few lessons, I commit to offering you honest and professional feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. I want to help YOU find YOUR own voice. I want to take a look at YOUR goals, YOUR dreams, and figure out what makes you tick.

During lessons, I draw on my dual B.A. degree in vocal performance & music business as well as industry experience. I offer insights on what works and what doesn't as a vocalist, whether you are looking to pursue singing vocationally or just as a hobby.

I can help you:
- Stop feeling nervous
- Develop impeccable technique
- Learn the “ins and outs” of being in the music business
- Assemble a press kit, record a demo and start to get gigs
- Much more!

I would love the opportunity to meet you and hear where you want your singing to take you. Please, get in touch!

Other Notes:

Studio Equipment:
I teach out of my residence-based studio in downtown Minneapolis. It's centrally located with free parking and easy access to skyways and public transportation. Do you work downtown? Consider taking lessons over your lunch break!

I have everything we need for lessons in my studio: instruments, laptop, mics, etc... I will provide you with all audio files and any written materials for our lessons.

k, and musical theater. I believe singers should be flexible, and I love teaching all kinds of music. As an active performer, I am well-versed in the emotional aspects of singing (including stage fright) and am happy to assist students through those challenges as well as the mechanics of the voice.

Whether you are considering a career in music or just want to brush up your shower singing, I'm game! To find out more about me and my teaching style, search for me on the TakeLessons blog, for which I've written extensively.

*** Lesson Details ***
30, 45, and 60-minute lessons available; 30-minute lessons recommended for children below the age of 14. Lessons begin with vocalization with specialized warm-ups targeting technique (proper breath control, vowel clarity, and relaxed singing), while the second half of lessons is spent on music. You may choose your own music or ask for suggestions.

Three items to bring to lessons:

A three-ring binder with loose leaf paper OR an electronic tablet for notes and music
A pencil
Water

*** Travel Equipment ***
A keyboard or piano must be available for in-home lessons. Students should also keep a lesson binder, notebook, or tablet for music and note-taking. Some music may have to be purchased, but I can supply some, especially in classical/musical theater genres.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical singing, musical theater, jazz, and pop genres.

have been able to help my students grow and gain confidence, which brings on-going fulfillment to their musical experience.

te lessons to bass players, pianists, and other instrumentalists since 2010. I have also had the opportunity to teach over a dozen jazz clinics, including two separate visits to the annual Panama Jazz Festival to teach and perform. At Berklee I studied music pedagogy and continue to research pedagogy on my own time. Recently through a teacher training program I have participated in workshops learning the basics of Suzuki, Kodály, and Orff Shulwerk methods. I currently teach music classes part time at a Manhattan private school and part time in an El Sistema based after school strings program.

My students have gone on to win statewide competitions such as positions in the All State jazz band and orchestra. Some have participated in music festivals around the country such as the Newport Jazz Festival and others have continued on to study at the collegiate level at schools including McGill University and Northwestern University.

atever your interested in...Lets make it happen!

ntless other bassists including Verdine White from Earth, Wind, and Fire). I was hired immediately out of college after earning my bachelors in music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and I enjoyed an early successful music career teaching general music to K-5th graders, and strings/orchestra to 5th-8th graders. My teaching career in Madison was short-lived as my fiancee was attending graduate school for clinical psychology at Indiana State University and I moved down to Indiana to start my life with her. Our path took an unexpected and stressful turn when my fiancee was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and a large portion of my efforts have been directed towards addressing her needs. In order to keep a flexible schedule where I can be available to assist her at home, I decided that teaching private lessons was the best option.

I knew I needed to solidify my musical knowledge and skills to consider myself a progressive one-on-one teacher to motivate and guide my students with precision. Following my fiancee's diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the sudden hiccup in my career after moving away from my orchestra teaching job in Madison, I had to act fast if I were to support both of us through my music. I began my rapid progression of improvement by first studying the psychology of learning. While I found several books in addition to my notes from my education classes at the University, I'm forever grateful for my fiancee who answers all my psychology-related questions despite her busy schedule. Once I had a firm grasp of how someone can sharpen and hone their mind to efficiently learn new concepts and build upon growing knowledge, I put the psychology of learning to the test in my own music practice. Although I’ve been an active musician and bass player for fifteen years, I’ve seen more growth in my bass playing in the past year than during my five years studying bass at the University.

Now, here’s where YOU fit in! I remember being very proud of the fact that I was “self-taught” in my younger years; however, I now realize how much time was wasted by teaching myself inefficient techniques and mediocre practice habits. Drawing upon my experiences from the UW-Madison School of Music, countless gigs, and my research digging into the psychology of learning, I’m here to help you progress efficiently.

I'll leave you with a cliche, yet sincere question: how long are you willing to wait to become the bassist you want to be? Thanks for your interest, and I hope to hear from you soon.