Teaching

My focus in teaching is sharing my love for music with students, helping them experience enjoyment of music, and allowing music to enrich theirlives as only music can.           I have experience in teaching just about all styles of music to students of any age, level, or background, so I always tailor what I teach to the student's interests and goals.       In my undergraduate studies at the Indiana University School of Music, I was able to study under some of the greatest music educators around.  I love passing along the things that I've learned along the way and always aim to do so in a way that's fun and easy to understand.

Here are a few of the topics that I cover in lessons:

Technique--knowing your instrument well means you will be able to play more and more types of music, which makes it more and more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Music Theory--knowing how to read music helps you learn material faster, and understanding how notes and rhythms work together to create beautiful sound can unlock some serious expressive potential in your playing.

Ear Training--learning how to play by ear is just as if not more important than learning how to read music.  After all, music is heard, not seen.  

Performance Skills--it's helpful to develop techniques to take care of nerves and bring performances to the highest level.

Repertoire--everyone likes different types of music; I'll help students learn music they like and expand their interests by introducing new styles and songs.

Improvisation/Composition--helping students develop the skills to create music can be a great emotional release, and can help develop ear training & music theory as well.


I'm available in the following settings:

Vocal Coaching and Accompanying

As a vocal coach and accompanist, I have worked with vocalists across many genres and am familiar with the standard repertoire in musical theater, opera/classical, jazz, and pop music.  Having worked as an accompanist in the studios of opera professors at Indiana University and many other settings focusing on vocal instruction, my coaching serves as an informed enhancement of vocal study to bring auditions and performances to a level of greater finesse and impact.

I work with vocalists on how to feel more comfortable singing with an accompanist; but even more than that, I want to show singers how to utilize the musical and technical elements of a piece to communicate the character and story of the music.  My goal for vocalists is that they would know the intricacies and nuances of a piece of music so      well that they can nearly forget about them and purely convey the spirit of the music through the expression of the voice, the eyes, the face, and really, the whole person.

I'm available to work with beginners and seasoned professionals, for regular coaching or for last minute audition preparation.

Please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for rates, availability, and references.