Mike teaches classical and jazz piano as well as trumpet lessons at the Wausau Conservatory of Music. In addition, he provides coaching sessions on improv for any instrument or vocal part and coaches and teaches soloists and small ensembles of any type or instrument for the preparations for auditions, festivals, or contests. Lessons emphasize developing technique through scales, chords, and exercises. We implement a wide variety of techniques to help the student play better, develop confidence in performance, and improve musicianship. Mike’s students have won prestigious awards and even studied music and gone on to music careers. Mike loves teaching all students how music study impacts all of our lives including the parts of our lives that are not music-related.
Private Piano Lessons
Ages 6 and Up
Private instruction: 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length at the Conservatory or via Zoom
Focus is on building a strong musical foundation in reading music, developing repertoire, performing for others, music theory, sight-reading, and improvisation.
Private piano students have the opportunity to participate in the many musical opportunities offered through Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA), Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), and more.
Jazz Piano Lessons
Ages 12 and Up
Private instruction: 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length at the Conservatory or via Skype/Facetime
Focus is on building a strong foundation of jazz piano technique and theory. Students spend significant time learning about and listening to jazz masters, developing reading and rhythmic skills, and improvisation. Students must be able to play at an intermediate level. Jazz Piano can be combined with the more traditional piano lessons for the student who wants to do both.
Ages 6 and Up
Private instruction: 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length at the Conservatory or via Zoom
Participants of similar age and ability share a lesson.
Focus is on building a strong musical foundation in reading music, developing repertoire, performing for others, music theory, sight-reading, and improvisation.
This is a great option for a family who wants to limit expenses or one who wants to use this as a way to start and then eventually transition to regular Private Piano Lessons
Duos Lessons can choose to participate in extra opportunities such as WMTA, but the shared lesson time makes this more challenging.
Ages 4 - 7
Private instruction: 30 minutes in length at the Conservatory
A parent or guardian commits to learning with the young student. Studies show that the majority of progress for a very young beginner comes from the time spent during the week with the parent or guardian as opposed to the time with the teacher in a lesson. The lesson time is spent working with both the adult and the young student, coaching the adult to teach their child and encouraging the child with fun age-appropriate activities that help them learn. Whether the adult is an experienced pianist or knows nothing about the piano, they will learn and play in the lesson as an example and encouragement for their child. It is a shared experience with your child you’ll never forget. Partners Piano Lessons require the same parent or guardian each week for continuity and effective partnership with the student. As the student matures, Partners Lessons can convert to regular Private.
DISCOGRAPHY
Recordings available on
Amazon, iTunes, and many others
Or contact for CD availability