We are pleased to provide a list of recommended private instructors. The teaching methods and fundamental approaches used by these instructors are closely aligned with the language and techniques emphasized by our directors in the classroom.
Flute - Annemarie Pedraza | (708) 466-9415 | annemarie.pedraza@gmail.com | LTHS after school
Flute - Brenna Kozor | (708) 301-8175 | brennakozor@gmail.com | Home Studio in Homer Glen
Flute - Julie Jaskowiak | (815) 685-9300 | Juliejask16@gmail.com | Home Studio in Joliet
Oboe – Tiffanie Iwinski | (708) 420-9343 | tiwinski@sd113a.org | Home Studio in Lemont
Bassoon - Kim Richter | (630) 464-5670 | krichter@napervilleyouthsymphony.com | Home Studio in Naperville
Clarinet – Garrett Matlock | (617) 650-8529 | gmatlock811@gmail.com | LTHS during day and after school
Saxophone – Amy Gier | (708) 334-0512 | a.gier@yahoo.com | LTHS during day & after school
Saxophone – Bryan Polacek | (773) 412-1292 | bryanpolacek@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
French Horn – Raquel Caneva | (815) 715-5083 | rcaneva@lths.org | LTHS after school
French Horn – Andrew Michor | (708) 408-4681 | abmichor@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
Trumpet – Paul Lowry | (773) 412-7891 | paullowry229@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
Trumpet - Carlo Isabelli | (815) 341-8918 | citrumpet@aol.com | Home Studio in Joliet
Trombone - Kevan Feyzi | (608) 469-8589 | kevfeyzi@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
Euphonium / Tuba – Akshat Jain | (765) 283-7508 | jain.akshat92@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
Percussion - Matt Schneider | (214) 546-6112 | mattschneiderpercussion@gmail.com | LTHS during day & after school
Percussion - Paul Kairis | (815) 641-5739 | upbeatpercussion@hotmail.com | Home studio in Lockport
Why Private Lessons?
Private lessons are highly encouraged and are for everyone! We have observed that students in the band program who study privately tend to perform at a higher level and have a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the music making process. We have a select list of qualified private teachers who are background checked through the school and will teach in the schools, in their homes, or at a local music studio. Students will meet with the teacher each week and work on solo/band music, honor ensemble audition music, technique development, tone, theory, etc. Payments are arranged between the parents and instructor.
Private lessons can reinforce good fundamentals. Learning to play a musical instrument can be more of a daunting task than a child (or parent) may expect. Fingers, tongue, breathing, posture, note reading, and counting all come into play with this foreign object put into a child’s hands. Working with a private teacher can help a student keep up with peers in the group setting. For example, there are many subtleties to embouchure formation, and if a student doesn’t get help from a private instructor, the wrong embouchure could become a roadblock to other facets of playing (such as note range) in the near future.
Private lessons help to minimize frustration. We believe the less frustration, the better when it comes to learning; who doesn’t? Though frustration can create determination in some people, it can discourage others. It’s sad to see a child give up learning an instrument in the early stages when all that was needed was a little personal attention.
Private lessons set up the student for success. With a private instructor, a child refines more quickly the fundamentals of playing. A solid foundation is built, and the child can keep learning, playing and succeeding. Succeeding is fun! The young musician builds confidence, and doesn’t give up.
The student learns how to practice. A young musician needs to learn HOW to practice. I often spend more time with a student on practice skills than anything else in a lesson; and not only with beginners, but advanced students as well. A student spends more time weekly alone in a practice room (or at home) with the instrument than he/she does with a private instructor each week, so that time needs to be well spent. By sending the student home weekly with the proper practice skills, the private instructor can help the student get the most out of practice time alone. Also, the student will not dread practice time, because he/she will have control over it and confidently expect results. Private lessons are for anyone, not just music-career bound musicians. A private instructor can maximize a young musician’s opportunity for musical success and fun.