Excelsior Music Lessons

nals coupled with academic studies rebuilt my perception of how I was generating sound and their training gave me back MY VOICE, for which I am forever grateful. I combine knowledge from these studies and my own vocal exploration to re-build my voice in exercises that I share with students of voice.

I CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS: My cross-training in dance, yoga, Tai Chi, commercial & improvisational acting provides a well-rounded platform from which to deliver information, guide vocal explorers and also help develop talent.

EXPERIENCE:
* 20 years teaching experience
* 12 years living & working in Los Angeles
* A lifetime of performing experience
* 12 years personal private vocal studies master teachers of bel canto & contemporary singing techniques.

LIFE SKILLS: No matter the subject, my focus is also teach skills that can be extrapolated into any area of your life. Life Skills focuses on eradicating negative self-talk and expanding communication skills that help develop confidence, enhancing daily life.

Between performing and my own artistic studies, I have been taking the occasional private voice student since 1997, mostly via referrals from friends and other students. While living in California, one of my voice teachers requested me as her regular substitute at Culver City and Santa Monica Music Schools from 2008-2012, which I felt deeply honored. She said she trusted me with their voices, which encouraged me into full-time voice teaching practice. In June 2012, I returned to Minneapolis and began teaching in my home studio through music services like Take Lessons. Past projects include producing a vocal showcase at The Ritz Theater, musical direction & choreography for a school's 2016 production of the Wizard of Oz; assisting students to prepare for local & national auditions like La Banda, The Voice & American Idol; prepping singers for studio recordings and congratulating a new student who's stepped out of the chorus to land her first lead role!

I am forever grateful to all of my teachers, past and present, for their valuable gifts of knowledge, skill, grace and compassion.

ENJOY LIFE MORE! Singing & dancing improves our quality of life.

*** STUDIO POLICIES ***

Always know that any personal data shared will be held in strict confidence.

STUDIO HOURS: EDEN PRAIRIE Central Standard Time
Mon-Thurs 10:00am-8:00pm
Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat 10:00am-2:00pm
Sun 4:00pm-7:00pm

TRAVEL
Cost for travel is $1 per minute.

CANCELLATIONS
Mutual 24-hour advance notice agreement states both parties will respect the difficulty of planning schedules by providing 24-hour notice to change a reserved lesson time.

* Cancellations within 24-hours of lesson require a phone call or text
- Lessons not cancelled w/24-hour notice are the responsibility of the cancelling party to makeup

*** STUDIO EQUIPMENT ***

EDEN PRAIRIE: Lessons in separate "studio" room, electric piano, mirror, music stands, table for your water, chair. Parents/loved ones can lounge in the large comfortable lobby area, drink free coffee/hot chocolate, read, use the free Wi-Fi, or watch TV [see photos below].

further broadened my background by accompanying church choirs and congregations, playing for weddings, and volunteering to lead children’s music time at church.

I love music of all kinds and have a strong belief that everyone should experience the joy and power of it in his or her life. It is very rewarding for me to help students develop their skills as they discover a meaningful way of self-expression using a universal language. Teaching music is something I love to do and I know that fact reflects to my students resulting in an enjoyable experience for them as well.

*** Lesson Details ***
What can a student/parent expect from lessons with me? I can provide my students with a solid foundation of proper technique. This is so very important because you do not ever want to have to unlearn bad habits. I also include appropriate music theory, ear training and improvising for each level. I purposefully pace the lessons to prevent students from feeling frustrated. Instead, I work to generate excitement about the learning process and keep students motivated by their own progress. Furthermore, I am willing to accommodate a student if they have a special interest in a certain musical genre or a personal goal they are working towards. I encourage, but do not require students to take advantage of recital and performance opportunities that I provide.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Large music room: piano, electric keyboard, flute, clarinet, trumpet, music stands.
*** Specialties ***
I have a lot of experience teaching students who are brand new to their instrument. I believe the beginning is a very important time to start building a solid foundation for all future musical growth. I love being able to help my students establish good habits from the beginning and influence the overall direction of a new student’s musical experience.

I love music of all kinds and have fun playing and teaching all the instruments that I listed. However, the two instruments that I have the most training on and have performed on are the piano and the flute. I would be a great teacher for private lessons to help a student excel in band at school or for a high school student preparing for contests or auditions. Also, I am very patient with beginners and would be ideal as a child'€™s first piano teacher or for an adult who has always wanted to play a certain instrument of his or her choice.

g to learn music, and I enjoy working with students to help them achieve their goals.

Being a well-rounded musician has not only helped me in my music career, but it has helped me experience and enjoy many different kinds of music. I expect students to play different types of music with a main focus on one genre. If you want to learn to play classical music only, I teach sightreading, technical skills, and with a little time and practice you or your child can be playing some of the simpler masterworks by the end of the first year. But I also encourage classical pianist to try out a rock song or improvisation.

The same goes for those who are only interested in learning how to play rock music or church music. Being able to sightread is invaluable to a musician, and after a few lessons on chords and ear-training, I like to introduce basic sight-reading.

Developing a love for the instrument you play is just as important as developing the technical skills to play it. I do my best as a teacher to learn what it is that students enjoy most about playing and incorporate that into lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home Studio--New Kawai upright

Lino Lakes--Baldwin upright, good condition, and electric piano

*** Specialties ***
I can play and teach in a variety of genres, from classical to pop to church music. I teach students to sight-read, and I can also teach students to play off a chord chart or by ear if these are things that student expresses an interest in.

I've found that the method books available to piano students are thorough and effective, especially for beginning students of elementary age. I've used different books, including Faber & Faber, Alfred, and Hal Leonard. All of these have strengths and weaknesses, and I like to pick the method depending on the personality of the student.

as learn at their own pace. My goal as a teacher is to give you an enjoyable experience in learning a new instrument and to tailor the lessons based on your interests and goals. After the first few months a beginner student can expect to have learned basic techniques and useful skills to allow them to play simple songs and melodies with ease.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons are taught in a studio with amps, acoustic guitars and electric guitars, ukuleles, along with fretless and fretted bass guitars, drums, microphones, recording equipment and software, are available for a student to use during the lesson time.

*** Specialties ***
Simplifying concepts and process. Breaking down elements of how to play Pop, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Rock, Folk etc.

nts can expect lessons to suit their tastes and goals, whether they intend to pursue music formally, professionally, or for personal enjoyment.

*** Lesson Details ***
Expect this to be fun! All lessons will incorporate proper playing technique and elements of the most basic theory, no matter the style of music. If students can devote some time to practice every week, they will see results. If students practice daily, they may exceed their expectations!

With each new song or lesson to be learned, I walk you through each part so that your practice time alone is fruitful. I encourage students to tell me what they want to learn. Any arrangement, classical or pop, can be made accessible to any level.

*** Studio Equipment ***
In-Studio lessons take place in teacher's home or at Chanson Voice and Music Academy in St. Paul.

*** Specialties ***
Ear training, music notation & sight reading, music theory, tablature, lead sheets, solo and ensemble.
Classical training, for those so inclined!

e instrument early in life. Still today he is an active chamber musician and also thrives as a soloist.

With the little free time that remains on his schedule, he shares his music with schools, churches, hospitals and friends. He looks forward to continuing his education and to a career of teaching and concertizing.

Mr. S. owes his success to the support of his family and the patience of his mentors.

tudied with Ruth Giles, Catherine Ramirez, Patricia George, and Michele Frisch.

and Wyatt-
Manhattan Transfer coach /NY Academy of Dramatic Arts. Through many years of teaching experience, I've developed a very successful, uniquely simple 8 part method to help cross cultural individuals/groups of all ages , styles, and levels, sing optimally from their hearts. The necessary basic vocal techniques can be taught effectively in 4 to 8 lessons, though the learning process takes longer and can continue throughout one's lifetime.

With a BA in Theater Arts from SFSU, and over 50 years directing, acting, and musical experience, including the last 15 years also working successfully as an ESL educator, I have gained the confidence to help almost any student achieve their personal and/or professional goals.