Prior Lake Music Lessons

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.

and have become proficient in determining what skills each individual student needs to work on as well as helping students progress in their interests, keeping the lessons fun and the student motivated. I can easily transcribe any song as well! So any song you might want to learn, even if there is no sheet music, is totally doable. I love working in odd time signatures and I prefer fancy hi-hat work over heavy double-bass drum use. Progressive / Indie rock is my favorite genre of music to play, but I have tons of fun playing hip-hop, punk, metal, I dabble in jazz, Latin rhythms, and pretty much anything else. I'm always excited to play drums, and I pass this excitement on in my teachings.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons and curriculum's are built around a students experience level, age, and goals. Students will learn the fundamentals of drumming, as well as the ability to add flair and pizzazz to their playing. Within the first 3 months, a beginning level student will have the ability to play basic beats found in many styles of music, as well as feeling comfortable playing to a metronome and keeping time. Lessons will include routines to be practiced by the student on their own time, as well as fun, exciting techniques to keep students interested and motivated to continue playing.
Each Lesson will hold its own highlights depending on the student. I believe getting to know the student and their goals for their drumming is one of the most important aspects of teaching lessons. Understanding whether the student is looking to drum as a hobby and for fun will change the lesson style dramatically compared to a student looking to make a living off drumming. The types of routines, styles and techniques taught should fit into helping the student reach their desired destination.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the basement, full band rehearsal set up with 2 drum kits, one for the student, one for the teacher in an acoustically treated room.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would expect the student to have a drum set and drum sticks. I can provide a drum set for lessons but it is important for the student to have a drum set or practice pad to practice.

*** Specialties ***
I have touched on almost every genre of music. I specialize in rock, progressive rock, funk and fusion.

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!

idual desires and needs of each student. Fun "family-style" lessons with parent(s) and young children are also a new option.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitars, ukuleles, bass guitars, strum-sticks, various percussion instruments, ProTools Digi002, Garageband, Kurzweil 2500, Mac Pro Desktop computers, various keyboards, synthesizers and music composition/production software and amps.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Teacher brings instruments/supplies/books as needed, and can arrange to provide instruments for students as well.

*** Specialties ***
Individual or group instruction in folk, jazz, blues, rock, guitar/vocal performance coaching, songwriting, lyric writing, instrumental improvisation, digital media production/composition, iMovie, Garageband, "beat-making" and therapeutic music for youth, adult and special needs students. Tutoring/homework help in English, mac computers and basic academic subjects for K-12 and adult students. Technology (geek) help/support with computers, digital gadgets (especially Apple) for "non-techies".

the Twin Cities area. Having earned his B.F.A. in Theater and Voice from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, Dr. Felix based his singing career in New York City for twelve years, received his M.M. in voice performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, was on the Voice Faculty of Texas A & M University, Kingsville where he ran the opera department for two years, and then returned to Lawrence, KS to get his D.M.A. in Voice Performance. He then taught as Assistant Professor at Emporia State University in Emporia, KS for five years.

c that YOU want to play!

I also teach composition and music theory (which is beneficial skill set for performers and composers alike).

Please send me a message and let me know your musical goals. I'd love to work with you!

iness entertainment freelance as a woodwinds specialist.

PERFORMING experience includes;
Free-lance Musician, woodwind instruments, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Contracting Musical Groups (own business)
Free-lance Musician, woodwind instruments, Central Florida
Jazz Quartet, Seaworld Renaissance Hotel, Orlando, Florida
Little Big Band Music Productions (own business)
Conventions- Orlando area, Scandinavian World Cruises
Disney MGM Studio Sax Quintet
Wayne Newton- U.S. and Canadian tour
Grand Floridian Hotel Band
Melissa Manchester- Florida tour
Contractor of Musicians- Premier Cruise Lines, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Princess Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra ’96-‘99, Florida Orchestra- Tampa, Cleveland Civic Orchestra, Ohio Ballet, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival
RECORDINGS
"The You In Me" -Solo Album --2000
GMO: Live in Europe—1980
MEMBERSHIPS --American Federation of Musicians
TEACHING experience includes;
(Sabbatical) College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University St Joseph, Minnesota
–Instructor of Applied Woodwinds
North Central University-Minneapolis, MN Adjunct Instructor
–Woodwind Methods, Applied Clarinet, Saxophone
Crown College-St. Bonifacius, MN Adjunct Instructor
–Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Ensembles, Clarinet, Saxophone
College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University St Joseph/Collegeville, Minnesota
–Instructor of Applied Woodwinds- Adjunct
Hopkins High School
–Group Instruction
St. Louis Park High School
–Private Instruction
My Music Store–Golden Valley, Minnesota
Private Instruction
Private instrumental Instruction, Orlando, Florida
University of Akron- Graduate Assistant Jazz Studies
Cleveland Supplementary Educational Center -Cleveland, Ohio
Individual and group instruction in music
My educational experience includes; Master of Music, Performance Clarinet (Concentration: Woodwinds) University of Akron, Akron, Ohio; Bachelor of Music, Performance Saxophone, Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory, Berea, Ohio