La Porte Music Lessons

as having fun playing music finally dawned on me and the verb "playing" music finally made perfect sense to me. Without passion, music is simply another endeavor, so this realization propelled me into the realm of music indefinitely.

In high-school I finally learned what jazz music was and fell in love with the idea of spontaneous improvisation. Learning theory really helped and I started jamming with my buddies, eventually starting a cover band. Although I've never lost sight of my classical roots, trying to improve my technique as well as my sight-reading, it was in jazz that I really found my calling. So in college, I started studying with a great jazz pianist, Randy Porter, and found my fingers wrapping themselves around my own music in a way I never thought possible. So that's that, I've recently graduated, having played gigs and teaching kids, and found my way into a new city with new possibilities.

When it comes to teaching, most teachers adhere to a strict curriculum. While I do love my curriculum, I will often change things around in order to cater to my students' different needs. Through all my experiences, I've learned that positive reinforcement is ideal and that a good association with a learning experience often paves the way for more of them. Working with me gives students the opportunity to make headway in an instrument without painstaking monotony. The more that somebody enjoys learning, the more that they learn. I love to have fun when I'm teaching, so my students tend to have fun as well. Like I said earlier, music should be "played," and playing should be fun!

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons will usually begin with a recap of the last week, what the student has practiced, and what they accomplished since the last lesson. For some students, I will assign listening over the week, so at the beginning of the lessons, I read over the observations that they made in regards to the songs they listened to.
One thing I require of all of my students is a notebook devoted solely to the lesson, where the student writes down what he/she thinks about in terms of accomplishments and what they want to learn. I will also write down in the notebook different techniques, assignments, and various other things related to the lesson for the betterment of the student. My typical lesson will involve a communication between the student and myself, trying best to learn where the student is coming from and cater to his/her necessities in terms of learning. I am laid back, for the most part, but will encourage the student to practice. I do not get angry, but I will try to inspire the student through various techniques, becoming more disappointed than enraged at a student's lack of enthusiasm. Lessons for me are fun and I try and convey that jovial enthusiasm to my students.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in living room with upright piano, couch. I do have cats, so heads up if you're allergic.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I may or may not bring music paper and lesson books. If it is the first lesson, I'll definitely bring some material. I expect a piano in the home of the student given the enormous stature of the instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz piano, first and foremost. Although I was coached in classical as a child and can easily teach most intermediates, jazz is my forte and my major in college. In terms of teaching styles, it all depends on the student. More than most teachers, though, I put a heavy weight on listening to music in order to fully understand it. Technique is very important and must be taught, but feel is probably paramount and should be emphasized. Before a student can accurately play a piece of music, he/she must be able to connect with the music. When it comes to the piano, especially jazz piano, theory and knowledge of how the sounds of the instrument interact are also crucial. I will teach an appropriate amount of theory to the students given the style of play and pieces they are learning.

Xavier University University Chorus; 2004-2009; Xavier Concert Choir; 2004-2009; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Josh Jones Nu Horizon, New Orleans, Louisiana; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Bishop Alvin Davis & Company, Baldwin, LA; Greater St. Stephan Gospel Choir and Praise Team; Background Studio Vocalist for Ebony Lockett (2009), Community of Faith Praise Team, 2012-2013

Currently, I sing at many venues and with various groups throughout Houston area. In addition to all of this, I also perform a great deal of gospel music on the praise team at the Community of Faith.

As you can see I have a great deal of experience and expertise different genres, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my students.

*** Lesson Details ***
To my future students:

I sit down at our first lesson to make a Custom Lesson Plan for what you want to study and goals you want to achieve.

I want to help you reach your goals and make you happy as a singer, so I am open to teach you anything no matter how little/much experience you have.

Next, we will pick a fun area to work on, and a challenging area to conquer. For example: we will work on a fun song then we will work on reading and/or rudiments.
I am also very patient and flexible to those students whom have special needs, or need to accelerate at a slower pace.

“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”- E.Y. Harburg

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room: keyboard, stands, music books, additional seating for parents.

Vocal Studio: Practice room, piano/keyboard, music stands, chairs; waiting area with television for parents/guests; security system; recording equipment

*** Specialties ***
CLASSICAL MUSICAL, GOSPEL, NEO-SOUL, JAZZ

tice, students will have a thorough understanding of the musical instrument they are studying and how to sight read.

approach to further and benefit the student playing.

nd theory lessons
Audio production lessons

*** Studio Equipment ***
One upright piano, one grand piano, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass guitar, electric bass guitar (student should bring his/her own instrument except piano, of course)

*** Specialties ***
classical piano, jazz piano, improvisation, music theory, pop/folk guitar, bass guitar.

r attending music school for a while, I moved to a recording studio in Houston Texas, where I was a session player and learned the art of recording and producing from major label producers and engineers. During this time I recorded on albums for Freddy Fender as well as other pop acts, and started my publishing company with BMI. After which I moved to Milwaukee where I meet John Tanner, an original music jingle writer, and worked with John on his projects as a guitar session player, singer, composer, audio engineer and producer.

In the middle 90's I meet up with another singer songwriter Noel Crowder during a jingle recording session. We discovered that our voices blended very well together, and decided to write and record music together. We soon added a drummer Steve Comeau, and started work on our first album which we released on our own under the band name "Feet Of Clay". During this time I met up with Stacy Heydon who was David Bowies former guitar player and a gold and platinum awarded producer, and started to play guitar for his production work with groups he was producing.

After a favourable review in Billboard Magazine, Feet Of Clay signed with a record label that had worldwide distribution through RED {SONY}. With the help of our newly acquired manager John Lay, whose English managerial team included The Police, Squeeze, The Greenberry Woods, Love Nut and Feet Of Clay, we soon completed a new album which was released worldwide via the Sony distribution system and received AAA radio airtime around the United States, Canada and Europe .

After our record deal, I resumed my session playing and private guitar instruction along with live performances in musical theatre. It was at this time I began composing, recording and performing original music for national and regional TV and radio ads on my own, as well as music for film including a Katherine Heigl movie "Side Effects", released on Warner Brothers, and became more involved with the Recording Academy, of which I am a voting Grammy member as well as being a guest speaker at the university level on the music business, score to picture, session playing, recording and music publishing.

I have recently moved from Wisconsin to Kingwood Texas with my wife in search of a warmer climate leaving behind our horse farm. My interests are animals, especially horses, history,science and anything pertaining to music with an emphasis on helping young artist within the Recording Academy with my Grammy voting member duties.

Guitar Instruction Technique

Check out the video that has been added to MTV that I play guitars on below.

In my guitar instructions I always use methods where the student will not become bored, as I combine songs the student likes to learn, and songs I feel would be beneficial for the student to move on to the next level, and at the same time teach the theory behind the songs. If the student shows interest in recording and or composition I will also teach those as well, as I have an extensive recording background. My styles are pop, rock, alternative, folk and a little country for the most part, and I enjoy teaching children just starting out and intermediate players but have had students performing at a higher level. I also bring a portable Pro Tools recording system with me for recording performances. But most importantly I like to keep the lessons fun and interesting and tailored for the individual student, as that's what music is all about.

"Billboard Magazine" calls the music of Milwaukee-based band Feet Of Clay, "Knowledgeable musicianship working together with skilful songwriting, breathy vocals, aching harmonies and irresistible melodies.

Secured international/national recording contract via RED/Sony with Feet of Clay.

Critically acclaimed articles/endorsements in internationally recognised music magazines including Billboard Magazine, Boarders Books as well as Music and Pro Sound News magazine.

Wisconsin Area Music Awards nominations including Best Songwriter and Guitar Instrumentalist.

Scored, preformed and recorded original music for the Katherine Heigl movie "Side Effects" released on Warner Brothers.

Voting Grammy member (Recording Academy}.
BMI writer
BMI publisher

udents' specific needs and enjoy finding new ways to develop each child's potential. I use creative approaches to assist in musician growth, including singing, composing, dictation (writing melody and rhythm by ear), and body movement.

I look forward to working with you!

nts desiring to pursue a further knowledge in music.

Everyone has unique needs and desires regarding an education in music. That is why I teach each student individually to help them achieve their goals. Just because I don't have a set methodology, however, doesn't mean that I teach chaotically. I balance the need for order and discipline with freedom of musical expression.