An Introduction to me...

I've been teaching music for almost 6 years now. I teach cello, guitar, and bass lessons, and I also teach theory, compostition, improvisation, chamber music, ensemble playing, songwriting, and even a bit of singing. I have students of all ages, (right now, ages 7 to 50-something). I have a pretty unique approach to teaching, and I definitely have a unique background, which allows me to teach a varitey of styles. I do teach classical cello, as well as classical chamber music groups that include all kinds of instruments, but I spend a lot of time with students (cello included) on popular styles, like folk, blues, rock, jazz, reggae, country, if that's what they are looking for.
My real strength is in my flexibility and my spontaniety. I want to find out what a student would like to be doing with music, and then work toward that goal. I am especially interested in providing my students with the tools to be able to make their own music, whether that mean composing their own pieces, writing and singing songs, jamming with others in a group, or just being able to sight-read or improvise without the help of a teacher. It is my strong belief that music should be fun, and my teaching style is a direct result of this belief. I'm a very patient, positive person, and am amazed how often I hear that these are rare characteristics in music teachers!

Experience

-6 years of experience teaching chamber music, theory, and composition to students of all ages through the Austin Chamber Music Center Academy and summer workshop

-5 years teaching private guitar, cello, bass, theory, and composition lessons in Austin

-3 years teaching general music in pre-schools (traditional pre-schools in Austin, a Montessori school in Denver, and a community school in Venezuela).

-6 years coaching ensembles (classical chamber music, rock, blues, and even punk groups) in alternative and traditional public and private high-schools (McCallum HS and the Griffin School)

-4 years teaching chamber music at Lamar Middle School here in Austin.

-2 years teaching private lessons at the Waldorf school (primarily elementary aged students)

-4 years teaching adults (classical, folk, rock, blues, songwriting, improvisation, and ensemble playing), with a flexible schedule, to fit in with busy lives (lessons as often or as sporadic as desired)

Education

I grew up playing classical piano and cello, playing in orchestras, chamber music groups, and solo, and then when I graduated from high school, I moved more toward playing poplular styles. (Check out the other pages of the website for more info on that story). Presently, I have a group I lead, in which I sing and play guitar, and a bit of cerllo. I also have an instrumental duo in which I play classical and jazz cello, for weddings, parties, restaurants and the like.
I attended the music school at UT Austin, then Prescott College in Arizona, and presently am finishing up my music degree throught Prescott College's Adult Degree Program, which allows me to live in Austin and to choose my own teachers. All the years in between have been an education in and of themselves, as I played just about every style of music, touring, recording, studying, etc etc.

Where and How Much

I have a studio of some 10-15 private students whom I teach out of my home (central), or in their homes. I charge 45 dollars an hour for lessons at my home (Hyde Park), and 65-75 dollars for lessons away from my home. Drop me an e mail if you want to talk about taking some lessons!