Compassionate, Comprehensive Academic and Music Tutor

Aviva M.

Clarinet

My experience of more than 8 years as degreed music performer, clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist combined with my enthusiasm for tutoring and instructing provide a fantastic tutoring experience. I have over 5 years of experience playing clarinet in ensembles, from chamber groups, bands and recording studio ensembles, ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary and pop styles. With strong sight-reading skills and comprehensive knowledge of clarinet technique within these musical genres, I can provide great guidance and instruction to students looking to hone their clarinet technique, learn new styles, and improve their versatility.

Ear Training

As a degreed music performer with years of experience reading, sight-reading, arranging and composing music, I am excited to offer my services as an ear-training tutor. Having studied advanced ear training and musicianship, but also possessing the ability and understanding to play, learn, teach and create music by ear, I can provide unique and comprehensive instruction to those who are seeking to learn or hone their ear training skills. As a multi-instrumentalist and music theory enthusiast, I use ear training and musicianship skills in my professional work to hear melodies, rhythms, tonalities and harmonic progressions ranging from simple to complex, vocal and instrumental. With more than 10 years of experience tutoring students in theory and ear training and over 16 years of experience as a performing musician, ear training is essential to the work I contribute as a musician and mentor/instructor, preserving versatility and skill that allows for excellent performing and rewarding collaboration. As an ear training tutor, I will help you gain confidence that comes with true understanding of the subject and study of music.

Elementary (K-6th)

With experience tutoring students through college-level in a variety of academic subjects including math, English/language arts, grammar, history, science and basic computer skills, I look forward to helping students in the elementary grades fully grasp the subjects which they are studying and learning. With an emphasis on well-rounded literacy, understanding, retaining and ability to successfully apply the knowledge in the courses, I work patiently with each individual and assess weak areas for improved results. Long lasting memorization with the important addition of application, as well as honest and energetic encouragement are the foundations in my academic tutoring approach. As a student who continually excelled in every academic subject and remained top of the class through graduating valedictorian in high school, I enjoy experiencing academic learning with each student, and have continued to seek out ways to help others succeed in their education on all basic levels.

Elementary Math

With experience tutoring students through college-level in a variety of academic subjects, assisting elementary students with math is the most enjoyable and rewarding work I currently do. The universal subject of math is so woven throughout daily life yet can be hard to grasp when first applying all the concepts. As a math lover and a math whiz that understands that each student's way of learning can be different from another, I work through concepts and math problems in a few different ways in order to improve understanding. I also help each student articulate their understanding in their own words. I work patiently with each individual and assess weak areas for improved results, with an emphasis on mastering a solid understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in their similarities and differences. I enjoy experiencing learning with each student and have continued to seek out ways to help others succeed in math for themselves.

Elementary Science

Science is a wonder of subjects, and understanding the lessons and concepts to which elementary students are introduced will better their understanding of their worlds. I combine a solid emphasis on study skills and effective note taking with an exploration of the science material through re-interpreting it in the student's own words. Using different analogies and visuals as well as properly defining scientific terms is a method I have found to be successful in bettering a student's understanding and his/her confidence. With a pinch of math and reading comprehension, depending on the type of science, I look forward to assisting each student with mastering their science coursework by applying skills they already possess and cultivating ones they are learning as they go.

English

With experience tutoring students through college-level in a variety of academic subjects, English Language Arts is the subject in which I have the most experience assisting students. I have a great love for literacy, writing, and yes, even grammar! I look forward to helping students fully grasp the efficient ways to use grammar, diverse writing and reading approaches in order to communicate effectively and retain the things they read. With an emphasis on well-rounded literacy, understanding, retaining and ability to successfully apply the knowledge in the courses, I work patiently with each individual and assess weak areas for improved results. As a student who continually excelled in every academic subject and remained top of the class through graduating valedictorian in high school, I enjoy experiencing academic learning with each student, and have continued to seek out ways to help others succeed in their education on all basic levels.

General Music

Music is the keystone of my endeavors and the crux of my skills and experience. As a multi-instrumentalist and Vocal Performance graduate, I have dedicated many years to being completely fluent in the language of music and have enjoyed the experience of successfully teaching, instructing and tutoring others in their musical endeavors. With over eight years of piano experience, twenty years of voice experience and skills in guitar, clarinet and harp, my immersion in the world and knowledge of music is a great resource for helping students better understand general music and put it to practice. While studying at Columbia College Chicago, I studied advanced theory, ear training and sight singing, completed the piano/keyboard curriculum and utilized my clarinet and harp skills while obtaining my vocal degree. I also served for three years as a music tutor, providing one-on-one service to students in beginning to advanced level theory and musicianship classes. Since graduating in 2006, I have continued to offer my assistance and musical knowledge to others by privately tutoring youth ages 8-17 and working as Program Assistant for the Chicago Children's Choir, helping individual youth singers reach their goals of placing into a more advanced level of the choir by demonstrating a firm grasp on general music understanding. With an energetic, compassionate, creative and patient approach, I thoroughly enjoy helping others become fluent in the language of music by obtaining strong comprehension of theory, ear training and sight singing, piano, voice, composition and arranging. My well-rounded experience as a tutor, performer, instructor and assistant, combined with the leadership skills and organization to mentor someone else, are great attributes of an effective music tutor. I look forward to contributing my skills.

Grammar

Oh no, grammar! I hear you. The truth is, it matters, and the best way to tackle the understanding of grammar in order to effectively and efficiently read and write, is to find someone who loves grammar as much as you love your favorite band. That would be me. I love grammar and love helping students grasp it even more. With a strong background in phonics, literacy peer tutoring and beyond since the age of 12, and a love of reading and writing, I can effectively help K-12th students improve their English grammar skills by fortifying the foundation and building from there. With an emphasis on well-rounded literacy, understanding, retaining and ability to successfully apply the knowledge in the courses, I employ patience, clarity, encouragement and honesty in my tutoring approach. Grammar can sometimes feel like a pest, but above all, it can be a clear and effective tool for having your voice heard, in the written word. I look forward to helping you honing that skill.

Piano

My experience of more than 10 years as degreed music performer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist combined with my enthusiasm for tutoring. piano playing and instructing provide a fantastic tutoring experience. I have over 10 years of experience playing piano solo and in ensembles, from classical settings, y bands, choirs and recording studio ensembles, ranging from classical, jazz, contemporary and pop styles. With strong music theory skills and comprehensive knowledge of piano/keyboard harmony within these musical genres, I can provide great guidance and instruction to students looking to begin or hone their piano playing, learn new styles, improve their versatility and venture into song writing and composing.

Reading

Literacy is one of my greatest passions and reading one of my most cherished abilities. I enjoy working with students to improve their reading and writing skills, as it often translates to an improved quality of life. With experience tutoring students through college-level in a variety of academic subjects, English Language Arts is the subject in which I have the most experience assisting students. I look forward to helping students fully grasp the efficient ways to comprehend what they read in order to communicate effectively and efficiently. With an emphasis on well-rounded literacy, I work patiently with each individual and assess weak areas for improved results. As a student who continually excelled in every academic subject and remained top of the class through graduating valedictorian in high school, I enjoy experiencing academic learning with each student, and continually look forward to helping others succeed in their reading in life.

Sight Singing

As an enthusiastic, articulate music artist and Vocal Performance graduate, sight singing is the cornerstone of my vocal success, and helping others excel with sight singing comes naturally and is something I love. Experienced as both a volunteer and hired tutor for diverse youth in both academic and arts subjects, I have a strong grasp on the aspects of sight singing, including music theory, hearing rhythm and notes effectively before singing them and how melodies sit within a given voice part or range. I enjoy accommodating the individual voice of the student and maximizing his/her ability and learning style by consistently integrating dictation, singing in various modes and keys and closing the gap between seeing music and singing it. I utilize these approaches to support a stronger vocalist as well as overall musician. Above all, I have found that a keen grasp on music theory and ear training provide a great leap pad for effective sight singing, and exploring the many methods of strengthening sight singing skills leads to confidence, versatility and in many times, even a better instrumental musician. I have experience tutoring students one-on-one from ages 5 to adult, beginners to advanced musicians. I look forward to the opportunity to assist in effective sight singing.

Spelling

As an experienced academic tutor for K-12th grade students, I truly enjoy helping others improve their spelling skills by understanding vocabulary, roots of words and origins in order to not only spell words correctly but understand the definitions of words by having gained a deeper understanding of them. With a strong background in phonics, literacy peer tutoring and beyond since the age of 12, and a love of reading and writing, I can effectively help K-12th students improve their spelling skills. Misspelling words can be frustrating, but I approach my work with each students with a necessary level of patience and encouragement, honestly assessing the timeline it may take a student to improve to the level they desire. As a student who continually excelled in every academic subject and remained top of the class through graduating valedictorian in high school, I enjoy experiencing academic learning with each student, and have continued to seek out ways to help others succeed in their education on all basic levels.

Voice (Music)

As an enthusiastic, articulate music artist and Vocal Performance graduate, I have tutored and assisted vocalists and musicians of various ages and backgrounds with singing, in styles ranging from classical to R&B. While pursuing my degree at Columbia College Chicago, I consistently contributed on an advanced level in the choral department as an assistant, advanced vocalist and scholarship recipient, and I pursued opportunities to perform within and outside the school on a regular basis. I concurrently served as a music tutor, assisting students with theory, ear training, keyboarding and sight singing. Since graduating in 2006, I have continued to teach and tutor privately, with an emphasis on contemporary style singing and sight singing. I enjoy working with a singer’s individual voice timbre and vocal endeavors while providing comprehensive support that includes warm-up, vocal health, style and expression, music theory and versatility, while encouraging individualism and adaptability. With an extensive knowledge regarding range, styles, choral singing, solo singing, auditions, band and studio singing, I look forward to helping people of diverse ages and backgrounds pursue their goals of singing well. I place a strong emphasis on theory understanding and adept listening/ear training, finding that hearing music well can lead to singing music well. I welcome the opportunity to be sensitive to the pace and desires of each student while offering cultivating challenges in voice.