The Kimberly Steele Music Philosophy
Becoming musical isn't just about practicing, it's about playing. At the Kimberly Steele Music Studio, you will learn how to become a comfortable performer of Popular, Jazz, and Classical styles, whether your instrument is Piano or Guitar. This is a place where you can learn to whip out the Charlie Brown theme at a party, delight your family with selections from Beethoven, or shred like Zeppelin at your next garage band practice. Music education isn't just another brand of high snobbery here--music of all genres is absorbed and played by our students and no style is "frowned upon". Competition is never forced between students, yet students are given the optional opportunity to perform at two yearly recitals.
Even the dreaded Music Theory is more fun at Kimberly Steele Music. Theory is taught by a revolutionary demonstration style that involves no written homework. Nowhere else will you find such a unique, practical, and effective way of absorbing Theory with every lesson.
Finally, the Kimberly Steele Music Studio really is a Studio--all students have the opportunity to record and hear what they sound like on a CD! Kimberly Steele Music is on top of the digital recording wave: recording is the future of all musicians. Kimberly Steele Music makes recording yourself easy and accessible. Recording has become an essential tool for new musicians and at Kimberly Steele Music, it is never ignored!
KIMBERLY STEELE is a kind, experienced Piano and Guitar
Teacher and Music Theory expert who has never once checked her sense
of humor at the door. With over twelve years of experience teaching,
she is one of the most unique and sought-after instructors in the Naperville
area. Ms. Steele has designed a system of teaching music that inspires
EVERY student to play for fun and enjoyment. Her balanced approach to
teaching covers all areas of music cognition, from note-reading to ear
training to memorization.
Kimberly has a degree in Music Theory with emphasis in Piano and Classical Guitar from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. She has continued her education in Computer Music and Recording. Her articles on Music Theory have been published across the web and in print magazines.
Music Lessons
Beginning Piano Students
Students begin their journey with Faber & Fabers' Piano Adventures Piano Lesson series. Beginning at Primer Level, students readily absorb periodic demonstrations of key concepts such as Time Signature, quarter notes, and C-D-E-F-G. Students are repeatedly taught how to recognize musical intervals both by ear and by sight at this level. Improvisational opportunities abound for the young composer and delightful supplementary solos given at each level of achievement enhance the fun aspect of playing.
Intermediate Piano Students
After the completion of Piano Adventures 3B, students graduate to the "Big Time" where they learn Jazz Standards and vintage Rock & Roll along with the most famous and playable traditional Classical pieces. Included in the standard repertoire of a Kimberly Steele piano student is: Linus & Lucy (the Charlie Brown theme), Pachelbel's Canon, Mozart's Turkish Rondo, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Misty (Jazz Standard), and Rock Around the Clock. Memorization is emphasized and performance is <strong>strongly encouraged</strong> at this level. It's a real golden age as piano study becomes constant piano performance, even if these performances are just for fun!
Adult Piano Students
Adults are welcomed at the Kimberly Steele Music Studio! Learning Piano or Guitar "at a certain age" is proven to boost your memory and cognition power. There's no doubt that studying music is beneficial to the brain--it's a vital tool in keeping your mind vibrant and young. It's never too late to develop yourself as a confident performer, so consider treating yourself to music lessons. The interview lesson is free!
Guitar Students
Guitar students begin their journey with the Mel Bay Guitar method, heavily supplemented by Kimberly Steele music theory demonstrations and fun exercises and popular music pieces chosen to suit the individual guitar student. Singers are encouraged to sing out with their instrument, as guitar is a very natural companion to singing. More advanced guitar students can enjoy learning how to play leads, prepare a show for a cafe or YouTube performance, or figure out the chords behind their favorite songs.