Voice Lessons

In Voice Lessons I cover a wide array of material depending on the students needs. I take a wholistic approach to voice teaching, recognizing that the body is an instrument and the tension we carry in it affects how we sing at voice lessons. Because of that, students will often be asked to do a variety of stretches that might help posture, jaw tension, and more. Broader topics that are heavily emphasized in lesson include; breathing, intonation, posture, vowel purity, and more. If you've done enough investigating on me, you might think 'wow! Mickie sings a lot of REALLY weird music' that is true. I have a long background in classical voice training, but my passion for singing is rooted in new music and opera. I love performing music by people that I know, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make YOU perform music by people that I know. That would be silly. Voice lessons are all about giving your voice the tools it needs to sing in the styles that YOU want to sing in. Voice lessons are about helping you find the healthiest and strongest version of your instrument. 

Piano Lessons​

The foundation of my piano lessons lies in the curriculum provided by the Faber: Piano Adventures Series. It is a series that I learned in its entirety when I first started piano. Although these books provide the ground structure, there are many additions that I add to the musical curriculum based on the individual students needs. These additions can include learning how to improvise on piano, learning how to read chord progressions, and more. In addition to this, musicality in performance is at the foreground of my piano teaching. Playing with correct technique is as equally important as phrasing, dynamics and articulations. I encourage students to think critically about what they're playing so they can make effective musical decisions that will wow themselves and others listening. 

Beginning Guitar Lessons​

In beginning guitar lessons we will focus on common chord progressions with supplementation of the Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book. A wise friend of mine once said 'Guitar is the easiest instrument to learn, and the hardest to master' and I couldn't agree with him more. The depth, style, and nuance, that guitar has can often feel overwhelming and daunting at first. This is why in my lessons we focus on a combination of approachable and challenging material, so that students can feel like they are making progress even when they hit more difficult moments. Sometimes it's easier to start at the tip of the ice berg without looking too far into the ocean, and that's exactly what these lessons are for. If you're ready to test the waters, but aren't ready to jump into the deep end of the pool, this is a great place to start. 

General Music Lessons

I offer general music lessons for any age and music ability. At the pre childhood education level we will explore music through the lens of discovery and creative. The child will often be asked to sing along to songs, move their bodies to different kinds of music, draw along to different compositions, use a variety of non-pitched instruments, learn solfège, and even ukulele. At the adult level students learn general music theory and how it applies to their musical goals. Some students want a stronger foundation in theory to train their ears, while others are looking for college preparatory advice, any and all areas can be covered. I love sharing what I've learned so far with others, and the sky is the limit for what we can learn together!

Composition and/or Song Writing Lessons

Anyone can write music. Yes you read that right. ANYONE can write music. You don't have to be like Beethoven, or Mozart, to give yourself a chance at writing something really cool. There is the great myth of the 'composer genius', where writing music is a mythical gift that is sent down to you and you either have it or you don't. As someone with a masters degree in writing music I can tell you that is not true. At All. Composition is an instrument. It is something that you have to show up for, learn about, and practice. No one is good at writing when they first start, trust me, you don't want to hear what I wrote my freshman year of college. Taking composition lessons with me is about trying, exploring, and discovering new things you didn't know or think about before. It is a judgement free zone. There is no failure in my teaching room, only steps forward. If you've always wanted to write music, but have felt intimidated, I encourage you to take lessons so you can learn that you are truly capable of writing music if you put your mind to it! 

I also offer intermediate composition lessons. These are great for composition majors who are in summer or winter break. Or someone who just wants a second pair of ears on something. I have three years of collegiate teaching experience. As a composition teacher my pedagogical philosophy revolves around helping you adjust the music to fit your musical goals for the composition.