Carsten Forester Music

My approach to teaching is based giving students the skills they need to make music a part of their life and not just something they do alone in their house. I teach every student how to play with other people, improvise and make their own music from the first lesson. I primarily teach Bluegrass, Celtic, Folk and Country but I also incorporate some Classical and Jazz for students who are interested. I also offer opportunities to play with other people through jams and ensembles with people of similar skill levels. This is a newer part of what I do but I am very excited about the future of this as it will help my students put the skills they learn in lessons into practice on a regular basis.

Making music is deeply personal and there is far more than one way of doing it "right". I place a heavy emphasise on theory and technique in my lessons but also explain the reasons for everything in detail. I encourage my students to be thoughtful about how they approach music but not to think about anything in terms of rules because there will always be exceptions. I encourage most of my students to learn to read music but I also help them develop their ears and intuitive sense for music because relying on one or the other exclusively limits your ability to express yourself and learn new music.

I have experience working with students of all skill levels and ages. I generally don't take students younger than 7 as string instruments are pretty difficult for younger kids to play but I am willing to make exceptions on a case by case basis. Music is a lifelong journey for those who choose it. No matter where you are or when you start, my mission is to help every student find the right path towards their goals.

I have been teaching and performing music full time in West Michigan since I graduated from the Hope College Music and Recording Arts program in 2017. I have always been a multi-instrumentalist at heart and feel at home on a wide range on string instruments. Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo and Bass are my main instruments but I have experience on others as well.

I became a musician because I find more joy in the act of playing music itself than in anything else. Sharing that joy with students and igniting a passion for music in them is what drives me every day.