Piano Lessons & Classes in Lake Highlands

the easier it gets!

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that most people would say that they wish they could play the piano. Taking piano lessons keeps you practicing and working on improving your skills. I can always help a student to play better in some aspect of their playing. I break down skills into as small a step as needed so the student can understand what needs to be done. Reading music is similar to reading words, so sometimes the problem is not with the fingers being able to play, but what the student is seeing. I can take whatever series you are currently playing out of and move forward with you from that series.
Rhythm can often be a problem when playing and that usually is just a matter of getting that rhythm into your vocabulary and really hearing how it goes.
Fingering is another area that can be the reason that a passage is not working for you and I can help you figure those areas out. I always try to correct and help you improve by using humor and positive reinforcement.
We will spend some of every lesson sight reading (looking at music that you will practice at home). Improving your ability to read music at sight will make your piano playing more enjoyable for you.

As with any lessons, the more you practice, the more progress and fun you will have! Every student needs a spiral notebook that we will use to keep track of your lessons. I have found it best if I buy the books you need and then you pay me for the books - that keeps you from having to search at a music store for the correct books and I make sure you have the correct book/levels. If you prefer to find the books yourself, that will be fine also. I am flexible and want your piano playing years to be lifelong for you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Grand Piano, Baldwin Acrosonic Studio Piano, Suzuki 88 key electronic keyboard,

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.
Piano, Handbells, Music Theory, Sight reading
I can teach from any series, have tended to specialize more with beginning and intermediate students. I have taught from almost every series over the years.
Right now I have students in Faber & Faber, Bastien, John Thompson, Schaum, David Carr Glover, Hal Leonard, FJH, Dozen a Day, and Alfred series.
I think that breaking skills down into small steps works well for mastery and understanding. I like to expand my students' appreciation of different types of music, from classical to pop, looking for music that is at the student's playing level.

THDAY CHER!! Today, for your 7th year birthday, you are going to start taking piano lessons!!” Well, I didn’t know what to think about that but I started piano lessons and I have been hooked ever since!

I studied piano for 6 years with a local teacher and then moved on to a teacher who could help me with more complex music. I was only able to study with her for a short time because we moved to a new town. There I found the greatest piano teacher ever. He helped me grow in my playing and performing.

After graduating from high school, I was accepted at Illinois Wesleyan University where I studied piano with Dr. Carol Thibodeaux. I also sang in the collegiate choir and had a great time in theory classes and music history.

MY EXPERIENCE

I have had many other great experiences as a musician and teacher that include:

1. I have played and sung at many weddings, parties, and social events.

2. I continue to accompany band and orchestra students even though I am no longer teaching in schools.

3. I directed the Bell Singers choir from AT&T for about 10 years.

4. I was the music & youth director for the First United Methodist church in McKinney, TX were I lead the adult choir. I also create a children’s choir program which was a great success. I was also the substitute organist when needed.

I have been involved with music of all kinds over the last 40 years and am looking forward to carrying on for many more years to come!

*** Lesson Details ***
When you arrive for your lessons do not have a worry. I am friendly, kind and very patient. We will work at your speed, not mine. If you are a beginner we will start out with the Bastien series. If you are more advanced than beginner we will select lesson materials just right for you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
baby grand piano, white boards, etc. , in a room dedicated to music

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would provide the teaching aids, writing materials . The student would have to have a piano, bench, chair and lesson books.

*** Specialties ***
I believe young students like to learn with touching and doing. I've use materials from Bastien, Thompson, Aaron along with aids I create for students to get the best learning experience. With adult students, we discuss what the goal is for taking lessons and in what ways they learn best.

tal oversight.

I have produced 10 personal instrumental projects, and I have produced and recorded over 40 projects for other local, regional, and international artists. I currently travel with national, jazz, recording saxophonist, Joseph Vincelli, and my personal band Zamar. We have performed with a number of acts from Kirk Franklin, Darren Rahn, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Fred Hammond, and many more.

As an instructor, I have been blessed with an ability to be relatable, relevant, musical, creative, fun, and engaging. I understand the language of music as a performer, and instructor, but most importantly, I value the ability to help the student find their own path of learning the joy of making music vocally and instrumentally. With over 18 years of private teaching experience and 30 years of group experience, I have gained a wealth of knowledge on how to be instructive and personal with the young or older beginner, intermediate and even advanced players. Let's grow together musically.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching style is very laid back, although goal-oriented. We have fun while seeing progress. For piano, I typically use the Alfred Series "Alfred Basics 1 - 6" or the Adult All-in-One for the Older Beginner. In the first 3 - 6 months, one will become familiar with basis technics and concepts behind creating music. These concepts will be the foundation behind learning how to read music, play by ear, and create your own songs in any style.

We would move a little faster for the older beginner and work through the Alfred's All in One in conjunction with introducing my 5 steps to performance for any popular style. These steps have been very valuable for those that are wanting to play piano, guitar, bass, or even sing.

For vocalist, I work through Estelle Liebling, Vocal Course, Alfred Piano (as an instrumental reference) and a number of practical performance techniques that I have gained over the years to sing in more of a pop, jazz, gospel setting. We will work on performance techniques and develop the ear to gain confidence to perform in various popular settings. I will also introduce creative ways to make up original music using basic theory and ear training.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic Piano, Yamaha MOXF8, Roland Fantom, Protools 9, Logic ProX, Midi Keyboards, Bass Mod 5 String Bass, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, and Tama Drum Kit.

*** Specialties ***

*Teachers
marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and
have received the highest feedback rating from students.

I specialize in gospel, R&B, Neo Soul, Blues, jazz improvisation, arranging, lead sheets, rhythm charts, and music arrangement theory

do this, my job along with theirs becomes that much easier. I try and do this by heavily incorporating the music that they identify the most with while strengthening their technique with a classical foundation. And, introduce a well-rounded set of incentives for each of their accomplishments.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide sheet music and books, I expect the student to provide the instrument they would like to take lessons on.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Contemporary, Popular Song, Jazz & Blues, Show Tunes, Theme Songs.

al needs of each music student. I am well versed at solving problems and helping students thrive and reach their full potential. I think that I do this best by personalizing the instruction experience for each unique situation. I love to encourage students and help them discover the music in them.

*** Lesson Details ***
Like me, students can expect to enjoy the process. Students will discover that I am very encouraging during lessons. I keep everything upbeat and positive. I will help you come up with goals musically. I am very patient, all while coaching you so that you get positive results.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright Baldwin piano, electronic keyboard 88 keys, music stands, sitting area for parent, CD/iPod stereo.

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Gospel, Pop, Classical, Various styles

I also studied theory, piano, sight-singing, and music-production extensively. I graduated Magna Cume Laude with a Bachelor of Music-Media from UTA. After school, I spent 9 months interning/assistant engineering with acclaimed musician/composer/producer Brad Nyght at The Bakery Studio in Dallas- whose credits include being the drummer for The Michael Gungor Band and Desperation Band. Then, got hired as an on-staff session musician and music producer at Drive35 Productions. I have also played guitar, mandolin, and bass for multiple pit orchestras and guitar for the North Lake Jazz Ensemble with director Jim Eger.

My teaching style varies from student to student. Music is a wonderfully diverse subject and every student has his own aspirations. I will do my best to cater each lesson to the student's goals and interests. Whether that is classical guitar method, rock, jazz, folk, country, pop or anything in between.

I have an excellent internet connection and microphone set up for online lessons. I also utilize screen-sharing to make the lessons as close to real life as possible.

A few of my favorite artists include: Michael Gungor, Joe Pass, Andrew Bird, Chopin, Led Zeppelin, Glen Hansard, and Radiohead.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will vary significantly from student to student. Not only does every student have different goals in mind, they all learn differently as well. I do my best to customize my lessons for each student's goals and needs. A typical guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano lesson may involve music-reading, chord studies, technical work, scale practice, theory, and of course learning awesome songs!

I consider myself a healthy balance between professional and light-hearted. As much as I want to make efficient use of the lesson-time, my primary goal is for the student to truly understand and enjoy music.

I have worked hard to be a flexible musician and teacher. I am competent in jazz, rock, classical, contemporary, blues, worship, country, and beyond and will be happy to teach any (or all) of these styles to any student.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Drive35 Productions:

-Large live tracking space
- Medium sized dead tracking space
- Pro Tools HD
- External Pres/Compressors/EQ (WARM, Manley, Vintech, etc.)
- DDA mixing console
- Several acoustic/electric/bass guitars (Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, Cort, Ibanez, Gibson, etc.)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- Gibson Mandolin
- Percussion
- Full drum kit
- 4 control/mixing rooms/practice spaces
- Breakroom
- Music stands/chairs
- Princeton Reverb, Vox AC15, Marshall, Ampeg amplifiers
- Several keyboards/controllers
- Rhodes
- Vintage organs
- Neumann U87, Senheissers, several SM57's, Lautin Audio Oceanus, Oktavas, AKG C414's

My at home studio:

- Chairs
- An 88-key Casio Privia keyboard
- Professional grade recording equipment (003r interface, behringer ada8000 with BLA mod, RNC by FMR, and more)
- High speed Internet access
- A printer
- A library of music resources
- Novation Launchkey MIDI controller
- Rode K2 condensor microphone
- Sm57
- Several Naiant stereo pair microphones
- 2 acoustic guitars (Cort and Zaeger), 2 electric guitars (Epiphone CS Custom, Fender Nashville Tele)
- An electric bass guitar (Epiphone Thunderbird with Bartolini Pickups)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- A Savannah Mandolin
- Double input amplifier (vox AC15C1)
- Music stand
- Metronomes/tuners
- Recording studio quality monitors (Yamaha HS8s)
- Large pedal board and pedal chain

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in contemporary, rock, blues, and worship guitar, but have extensive experience in classical and jazz guitar as well. I am also an on-staff session guitar player for Drive35 Productions and can help anyone interested in the skills necessary to play for a studio.

For piano, I teach beginner to intermediate level students in a variety of genres. I use piano on a daily basis for composing, arranging, and performing.

For bass, I can also teach a variety of genres. I specialize in blues/rock/contemporary but have experience in classical and jazz bass as well.

For ukulele, I specialize in pop music adaptation and classical.

For mandolin, I teach basic beginner music skills- reading and strumming techniques.

ning is imperative for more advanced students to learn before they can begin improvisation. Its like giving a man a fish vs teaching a man to fish. Its also a great transition into the theory part of your instrument specifically for kids who often pick up and latch on to the concept. Ear training properly though is not only a daily process but can be difficult for some so if you feel like this isn't for you that is okay because it all comes down to what you want.

My voice students will learn to relax into their singing and to strengthen their voice week to week. Each student receives a personalized plan of daily exercises based on their needs and weekly performance. I also offer audition coaching for those in the musical theatre community. For kids and beginners we start with basic breath control and diction. For more advanced students we work on improvisation

My instrumental students will begin by learning ear training and basic structure from there I make it about you and what you want to learn. I am a big believer in genre bending instruments. I for instance play jazz and blues mandolin. If you're wondering why you have never heard of this its because you can count the number of culturally relevant jazz and blues mandolinists on one hand. There are also reasonably few people who teach this as it is something so rarely done. If you have latched on to a particular genre of music I'd love to help you explore it.

Acting students are encouraged to dabble in all parts of theatre and film as many roles require you to be a jack of many trades. Character development and emoting convincingly is only part of the game.

Cancelation policy: 24 hour notice or in case of emergency with doctors note.

on Vehicle's CD....that recording won the coveted Artist In Music Award in Los Angeles. I have had a CORI Check as required by law to work with children. I am also a mother myself as well.

I tailor lessons based on the level, talent, skills, and areas needing work in the student's musical development process.I treat students as individuals...similar to a tutor or coaching relationship. Many students are naturally talented, and simply need more direction, and perhaps, technique, and basic music theory knowledge. In vocal study, proper breathing, vocal exercisers to improve singing and flexibility, and strength are part of lessons. In addition; I assist in choosing material, prepping for performances or auditions, and preserving and enhancing the natural voice of the student.

As a piano teacher; I can work with students at all levels as well. I am very good with beginners. I also have more to offer more advanced students in a concentration on technique, and add a music theory component to lessons as it helps them to become a better musician and instrumentalist. Thank you for your time!

ary keyboard, including beginning-intermediate jazz and jazz improvisation. I love to teach students to read sheet music and pursue classical/technical excellence, but also to learn how to play music using chord charts, by ear or all three, depending on your personal goals and preferences.

With a passion for music theory and improv techniques, I love to help students who are aspiring songwriters to develop that creative side, especially in combination with learning piano skills -- they pair very well together!

The most successful musicians I know are well-rounded and have developed solid foundations in technique so that they can perform well in many different styles and adapt quickly. This is such a necessary skill in today's technological world where we can share music from across the world with a click of a button! In my lessons, I love to help my students study a variety of genres.

Speaking of technology, I'd like to make a quick plug for my husband :) He is a fantastic videographer and primarily works for a film producer in the DFW area, but he also loves doing independent creative work on the side. He has experience creating quality music videos and would love to create content for any student interested in this!

I really look forward to meeting you and helping you become a confident, skilled musician!