About
Having an instructor who is an exceptional musician is important, but even more so is finding an instructor who can see you clearly, your strengths and where you can improve; where you excel and where your frustrations thrive. The best instructors know when to push you and when to give slack, and always expect the most from you.
I am one of these teachers.
My experiences range from classical training and performance, to math-rock bands in dive bars, to songwriting and directing, to African percussion. You will find in me a well rounded teacher who knows how to give you the specific set of tools you need to grow as a musician, and as a human. Experience a wholistic approach to music that takes into consideration your body and mind.
It can be so frustrating when you are excited to learn your new instrument, or learn something new and your instructor is more interested showing off, or insists you learn vocabulary or repertoire that you will never lose. Some of us want to learn classical training, some of us just want to express ourselves with ease, and some of us want something in-between. That's why I am the perfect teacher for you.
While every student starts at the same point, their paths quickly diverge as they learn about themselves and we learn about each other. Become excellent, discover yourself at Neverhouse Music.
I know that my experience can seem a little intimidating to some people, but truly I derive joy just from being an active participant in the learning of other people, I love being there while people learn about themselves and discover themselves through music. As they build confidence through exploring their strenghths.
The greatest joy for me is teaching, and it is what I've always know I was meant to do. To top it off, teaching music to people is like helping them develop the ability to see right into themselves, and to take what they're holding on the inside and send it out into the space of the world. Anyone who can play a note is a musician, and you can only get better from there.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first thing we do is have a conversation about what the student wants to acheive from their lessons; adult and children. Those who have no or minimal experience will be introduced to a lot of foundational information spread out through the first month, along with learning to play by pattern and by ear, learning about the anatomy and history of their instrument, and identifying songs they want to learn, short-term and long-term. (Setting goals is important!)
If you have experience in music then I ask you to play something you love and get a feeling for you musical style, your strenghths, and your current abilities, then we talk about what you want from your lessons.
Some people want to learn to read music, some people want to learn to play chords, some people want to learn to be more rhythmically diverse, some people want to learn to read lead sheets, some people want to add more to their repertoire of techniques. but most people end up with a hybrid lesson.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I've had five years of classical training in several instruments and a completion of music theory and ear-training up to atonal theory and some jazz theory at a collegiate level.
Studied:
Classical Piano, Jazz Piano, Contemporary Piano (Pop and Rock), Piano Accompaniment, Contemporary Drum Kit, African Percussion, Mallet Percussion, Steel Drums of all Varieties, Mandolin, Contemporary Acoustic Guitar (with 5 years self-taught experience on Electric Guitar), Mandolin, Ukulele, Classical and Contemporary Voice, Ensemble Leadership, Conducting, Arrangement for Voices and Instruments, Song Writing.
Real-Life Experience:
Seved as President of D.J.E.M.B.E. ("Drummers Joined in and Education Movement thru Beats and Entertainment"), a West-African Percussion ensemble that perfomed year round and participated in community betterment programs.
Led a Praise Band of 4+ members for a contemporary service for a Methodist congregation (no further affiliation).
Served as section leader for an Elgin Community College Choir for 3 years, leading sectional practice for Sopranos and sometimes Altos and Tenors, as well as leading sectionals for Jazz choir.
Led group classes for guitar and ukulele for Adults and Children
Aside from my classical training, I have a lot of experience on stage in venues large and small playing contemporary music, leading bands, and playing supportive roles on a variety of instruments.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Typically pricing is "One dollar per minute," so it would be $30 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, etc. More than an hour per sitting is not recommended, and neither are lessons less than 25 minutes. I make acceptions and work on a sliding scale for the economically oppressed.
How did you get started teaching?
I had been formally studying music at a collegiate level for one year when I got the opportunity to teach my first lesson. A fellow student was leaving their position at a local music school/store and I was suggested for a replacement. The first couple of weeks were difficult, but I experienced so many different types of students and experimented with different types of teaching techniques. I have evolved so much since then, and have come to have so much confidence in my competence as an instructor.
What types of students have you worked with?
My youngest student was 5 years old and my oldest student was 73. I have worked with neurotypical and neurodiverse students, with cisgemder, transgender, and otherwise queer students, as well as students with disabilities.
I have worked with students who have dreams of classical performance, students who want to write songs, students who want to be a better foundational member of their band or ensemble, some students just want to learn for their own pleasure and were unsatisfied with intensive program their past instructors wanted to put them through (many instructors have developed a one-size-fits-all lesson plan that they use for all students).
I've had over 50 students in the last nine years from all walks of life, all with different wants and needs when it came to their musical lessons.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Never be afraid to start taking lessons with a different teacher if you feel your current fit is not right. Ask to borrow your materials from your teacher before you invest, in case you decide you want to find a different instructor as many instructors work from different books and materials. Finding the right teacher can be like finding the right therapist, and if your gut tells you a teacher is not right for you, listen to it. It will make a world of difference.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Before speaking to your teacher you may want to find out what your learning style is. Do you like things to be explained before you try them, or do you like to jump in? Do you like to learn through trial and error? Do you get nervous when playing for other people?
Know your own securities and try to be honest with yourself about your strenghts. Then ask youself why you want to play music; this answer does not have to be complicated. As humans, we all are drawn toward music; music can connect soul to soul and expose emotions that we are sometimes unaware of in the most socially acceptable way, so it's normal and expected for anyone to have an interest in music.
Ask yourself if you want to play on your own or with other people. Do you like being center stage, or do you like playing a supportive role? What kinds of songs do you want to learn? (Make a list and go through it with your instructor).
You instructor's job is to guide you along your musical journey, wherever it leads, so oversharing is better than undersharing.