Question 1

Where do lessons take place?

Accepted Answer

Lessons are available both in person and online! In-person lessons take place at the TMS studio in Hanna City, IL, Morton, IL, and/or online lessons are available through Zoom. Whether we’re in the same room or meeting virtually, the goal is the same: practical, personalized coaching that helps you grow.

Question 2

How much do lessons cost?

Accepted Answer

Weekly lessons are $125/month for 30-minute sessions or $250/month for 60-minute sessions.

Question 3

What if I need to miss or reschedule a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Life happens! Students have access to their upcoming sessions through the TMS student portal, where eligible lessons can be managed or rescheduled. Specific cancellation and rescheduling guidelines are provided during enrollment so that everyone knows what to expect.

Question 4

What ages do you teach?

Accepted Answer

TMS primarily works with students ages 10 and up, including teens and adults. There’s no upper age limit, either! Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time at 12 or finally deciding to take voice lessons at 82, you’re welcome here.

Question 5

What styles of music do you teach?

Accepted Answer

A lot! I specializes in contemporary music, including pop, rock, worship, gospel, country, jazz, and other CCM styles. But I also have classical training, teaching, and performance experience. Rather than forcing every student into one particular sound or style, lessons are built around the music you actually want to make.

Question 6

Do you work with beginners?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. You don’t need to know how to read music, understand music theory, or have years of experience before you walk through the door. We’ll start with what you already know and build from there.

Question 7

How do you approach lessons?

Accepted Answer

No two students are exactly alike, so no two lessons should be, either. Lessons are built around your goals, your interests, and the way you learn best. We’ll work on solid technique and musicianship, but always with an eye toward actually making music—not just completing exercises. I want you to understand what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how to use it outside of our lesson.

Question 8

How long and how often are lessons?

Accepted Answer

Most students meet weekly for either 30 or 60 minutes. Thirty-minute lessons can work really well for younger students or students with a more focused set of goals, while 60-minute lessons give us significantly more room for deeper work. For most teens and adults, I recommend an hour when possible.

Question 9

What should I expect at my first lesson?

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry. You won’t be expected to show up and perform an audition! Your first lesson gives us a chance to get to know each other, talk about what you’d like to accomplish, see where you’re currently at, and start making music. From there, we can begin building a plan around where you want to go.

Question 10

Do I need to practice between lessons?

Accepted Answer

Some practice between lessons will definitely help you make faster progress, but you don't need to reorganize your entire life around it. Consistency is usually much more valuable than trying to cram in a huge practice session once a week. Part of my job is helping you figure out what to practice and how to make that practice actually useful.

Question 11

Am I tone deaf – or can I actually learn to sing?

Accepted Answer

Probably not! True tone deafness is relatively rare. If you have trouble matching pitch, staying in tune, or even figuring out whether you're singing the right note, that doesn't mean you're incapable of singing. Those are skills we can work on. You don't need to already be a "good singer" before taking voice lessons!

Question 12

How do I know if lessons are right for me?

Accepted Answer

You don't need professional aspirations to benefit from lessons. Maybe you want to become a stronger worship vocalist, audition for something, play keys with a band, feel more confident singing, learn an instrument you've always wanted to play, or simply make music because you enjoy it. Those are all great reasons to take lessons.
The biggest requirement is simply being willing to learn. We'll figure out the rest together.

Question 13

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Start by filling out the TMS lesson interest form! It gives me a chance to learn a little about you (or your student), what you're hoping to accomplish, and what you're looking for in lessons.
From there, I'll reach out to talk through next steps and make sure TMS feels like a good fit before we get you enrolled. No need to have everything figured out before reaching out—that's what the process is for.

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