Lessons // Guitar Lessons Near Me // Guitar Lessons Naperville

Acoustic Guitar And Ukulele Lessons

5.0 (32)

Best of 2020

29 hires on Lessons.com

1 employee

2 years in business

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About this pro

- 14+ years experience

- I am friendly, patient, organized and knowledgeable. I tailor my lessons to meet my students current level, and I challenge my students to reach the next level of their playing *see my reviews on lessons.com and my website - www.happystrumming.org :)

- All ages welcome!!

I have had the opportunity to play a variety of instruments - ukulele, acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, mountain dulcimer, banjo, lap steel guitar, and most recently the mandolin.

Currently I play in a duet group with a fiddle player. In that group I play guitar, banjo, mountain dulcimer along with the cajon drum and tambourine. I also play electric bass and ukulele in a ukulele band. Additionally, I play electric bass and guitar in the Plank Road Folk Music Society String Band.

I've played with various groups - church bands, a traveling band that played at healthcare facilities and retirement communities.

As a teacher and musician, I enjoy helping people learn and/or grow in their guitar and/or ukulele playing!!

I enjoy seeing the excitement on a student’s face when they’ve been able to successfully implement a particular skill and play their favorite songs!

Credentials

Naperville, IL 60563

Email verified

Phone verified

32 Reviews

5.0

Jerry OToole

Monica is an excellent and engaging instructor. She has an excellent student in my daughter (Ukulele) and a not so good student in myself (guitar) but she provides effective instructions for both of us. My daughter had taken previous lessons at one of those strip mall music places and she showed more progress in one or two lessons with Monica than in the two 6-week lessons she took previously. She currently offers lessons outdoors in her backyard and it is a very pleasant and comfortable environment. I highly recommend Monica as an instructor if you are considering taking lessons. She makes it fun yet challenging and you walk away from each lesson feeling like you’ve learned something. Now maybe if I practiced a bit more between lessons (like my daughter) I’d have made more progress .... but that’s on me. ;)

2020-09-02
Margaret Sheehan

Monica is very helpful and encouraging with teaching ukulele. She explains how to play in a way that is creative and easy to understand. She is able to see what I am doing incorrectly and gives me both visual and auditory tips/examples that help me to see differently

2020-08-24
Shantelle Whitehead

Monica is an incredible teacher and musician. She is challenges me each lesson, while also being encouraging and helpful.

2020-08-05
Laura Kilicarslan

I started lessons with Monica at her home. Then, with the Covid19 distancing mandate, we changed it and now use Zoom. Monica was very patient with me while I figured out how to use this method and get set up. Monica has two cameras that she uses and is able to send me music and lesson materials. I have to say, I'm not someone who is technologically savvy, and I've found that the lessons are fun and a great way to connect with a wonderful teacher. I'm glad to keep the lessons going, especially since I have so much extra time at home to practice!😄

2020-04-07
Deb Z.

Monica loves music and you can tell. If you are thinking of taking lessons I would recommend working with Monica. She's a great teacher and can break playing an instrument down into easy steps. She is technology savvy and will walk you through your lessons. I was worried I couldn't learn an instrument over the internet but she is able to share the screen with me, write on the music virtually so I can see what to do and make notes on my own music, as well as play music with me. In case you are wondering how a lesson may look we both log into zoom. During the lesson we work on a variety of songs and strum patterns. When I'm having difficulty she splits the screen so I can see the music, her face and/or her ukulele. Happy strumming :)

2020-04-06
Art Andersen

Currently receiving lessons online, it is working perfectly.

2020-04-03
Steve Gnatz

I've written a review before regarding my excellent experience with Monica as a ukulele teacher. That experience has been further enhanced recently by her willingness to continue her lessons with me virtually during the current pandemic. Monica has been able to bring her excellent teaching skills across the internet! She continues to supply me with her insights and helpful tips as I improve. I find her abilities to provide me with such valuable lessons remarkable - and I believe that it goes to show how talented a teacher she really is!

2020-04-03
Ted Margaris

Monica is a fantastic music educator. She knows how to adapt to the particular needs of each student. She is enthusiastic and patient. I enjoy my lessons.

2020-03-15
Art Andersen

Monica is a pleasure. Patient, knowledgeable, and professional. Plus she make learning fun!

2020-03-09
Karri Neal

I love how Monica teaches you what you want to learn. The first lesson she asked if I was looking to learn notes, chords, or both and has structured each lesson towards what I’m looking to get out of it. She asked before my first lesson what type of music I wanted to learn to play so I can learn songs that are exciting to me! It’s also so much fun to go to each lesson and have her play with me. I would absolutely recommend Monica to anyone looking to learn guitar.

2020-03-02
Ali

Great experience!

2020-02-18
Richard Pye

I've tried learning guitar with different teachers before Monica and on my own, but had little to no success. Monica's approach is to teach as she would like to be taught. She explains concepts clearly, answers questions patiently, and knows it takes time and practice. I highly recommend Monica to aspiring guitar players.

2020-02-17
Kimberly Cohen

She goes at your pace and tries to teach you step by step...learning the basics and giving suggestions on what will help to play better and encouraging!

2020-02-17
Laura Kilicarslan

Monica is a patient and encouraging teacher. She is very knowledgeable and teaches in a way that is comfortable, fun, and challenging.

2020-01-22
GEORGE GUZMAN

2019-12-05
Marsha Mix

2019-09-24
Louis Reece

Monica understands the level of playing that I’m at and so far has been challenging me with new ideas and methods.

2019-08-20
Demi Wang

Friendly, knowledgable

2019-08-19
Steve Gnatz

Monica is very patient and has great experience teaching!

2019-07-17
Dennis Dybowski

Monica is patient and easily adjusts to my learning ability. It's only been for my 2 acoustic guitar lessons but I will be continuing for quite some time. The 30 minute lessons are perfect for reviewing material and any trouble areas, presenting new material, and outlining future learning.

2019-07-11
Kiran Thali

Monika Kaplan is no doubt one of the most humble, approachable, and skillful guitar teacher you can find in West Chicagoland. I have been studying with her for the past few months. I have been learning guitar for some years now and Monika was not the first music instructor I had. Monika is however, the best one so far by a large margin. Since the first lesson she has been extremely professional and organized in his teaching methods. She is able to quickly identify my strengths and weaknesses as a player, tailor her lessons to fit my capabilities, and help me improve in great effectiveness. I am a professional with a busy schedule both on and off work, and really don't get much time to practice but with Monika I am able to greatly improve nonetheless and can see noticeable improvements. Thank you Monika, you are the best!

2019-06-19
David Zacher

Monica is very knowledgeable and very patient.I am an older player just getting back to guitar after a long hiatus; I decided to take lessons with some trepidation as generally folks my age are not who you see taking beginner lessons. Monica has exceeded my expectations in every possible way so far.

2019-06-19
Rick Begler

Monica was great. She totally explained guitar when countless books and online videos only had me confused. After only a few lessons I was confident I would become a guitar player.

2019-04-04
Rick Begler

2019-04-04
Sheila Bangs

Monica is very patient and explains everything in detail. She listens to what your goals are in playing, takes into account your experience and then tailors your lessons to fit your needs. We couldn't have asked for a better teacher for our son.

2019-03-07
Mirza Baig

Exactly what i was looking for, as a beginner i was trying to find the right techniques to learning and Monica truly provided that. She is someone who is ready and passionate to teach and really understands your pain points and works you through those.

2019-02-05
Mirza Baig

2019-02-05
Robert Moore

Monica is exactly what you want in a teacher. She is extremely knowledgeable, observant, encouraging, patient and treats you with respect. She is a great listener and taylors the lessons to your speed. If your looking for someone to teach and ecourage you to play guitar, you wont find anyone better than Monica!

2019-01-25
Anagha Modak

My son has completed a few lessons with Monica and my overall experience with her is great so far.. As a teacher she is very friendly and knowledgeable. She also lent her guitar to use while my son is taking classes from her and that was a big help! I look forward to having her as my son's guitar teacher for longer term.

2018-11-19
Ita Keasip

I signed up with Monica through Lessions.com and are currently learning ukulele with her. She is very kind and patient in teaching. When I asked for learning new songs, she has been alway prepared before the lessons. Monica goes extra miles for her student!

2018-10-06
KaraLee Anderson

She is organized and a great communicator! My daughter loves taking ukulele lessons and looks forward toward the goals they have set for her progress.

2018-09-04
Amanda Mary

Monica was very helpful and informative. I was able to learn how to play all of my favorite Taylor Swift songs! Since taking lessons from Monica, I have been able to apply what I’ve learned to other songs. Monica is patient, kind, and a fantastic teacher! I recommend her lessons to anyone wanting to learn how to play the guitar.

2018-08-29

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FAQs

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

I will teach you the skills you’ll need to play your favorite songs. I’ll teach you chords that will enable you the play tons of songs. I’ll teach you how to efficiently switch between chords. I’ll teach you various strum patterns and rhythms. You’ll learn all these techniques while playing the songs you want to play!

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I am a certified teacher with over 10 years experience playing instruments and playing in bands.

I love to help people learn and grow their musical skills.

How did you get started teaching?

I have always enjoyed learning about and playing music, and as a school teacher I have always enjoyed teaching people. The combination of my two loves is a perfect combination for teaching ukulele and acoustic guitar :)

What types of students have you worked with?

I teach students of all ages - children to seniors and everyone in between. I teach students who are brand new to playing guitar or ukulele, as well as, students who have been playing awhile and want to take their playing to the next level.

What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?

I would look for a teacher who is passionate about learning music, playing instruments, and enjoys teaching. I would also look for a person who will challenge you to grow in your knowledge of your instrument. But most of all a teacher who makes learning fun!!

What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

What songs would I like to learn to play?

Why do I want to learn to play an instrument?

Am I willing to practice my instrument? With any new skill practice is an essential component to experience growth in your skills.