Adrienne Schroeder
About Adrienne Schroeder
In addition to teaching piano to anyone, I do something I call Mindful Music at the piano with kids on the autism spectrum.
My story and my journey with music are intertwined, one and the same. Raised by musicians, music has been part of my life since I was born. As a little girl, music was magic. And to me, it still is. I began classical training at the piano at age four and started French horn at eleven. My journey with music led me to complete two degrees in horn performance, including my master's from the Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. I then moved to Chicago where I got on the orchestral audition circuit and built the life of performance and teaching that I live today. My move to Chicago was a shock to the system. Not only had I entered the "real world" post grad-school, I was not surrounded by musicians for the first time in my life. I began to notice things about the world and my experiences. What I realized is that not only had I excelled at the technical skill of playing an instrument, but through this process I had cultivated a skillset and values that impacted every part of my life in a profound way.
I have been taking private music lessons for 24 years and counting. I view this as a lifelong class. I have had truly phenomenal teachers that have inspired me to expand, rise, and achieve my dreams. I also experienced damaging teachers and dogma in the classical music culture, which from a young age fostered harmful beliefs and stamped creativity. All of my experiences have informed who I am and what kind of musician and teacher I want to be. Knowing the power and ripple of teaching and the challenges of our modern world, I committed to a belief system and vision as a teacher that I call Mindful Music.
Education & Experience
I hold a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Central Michigan University and my Master of Music in Horn Performance from the renowned Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. My primary teachers include Dale Clevenger, Jeff Nelsen, Bruce Bonnell, and Josh Phillips. I have over 24 years of experience as a performer and 10 years of experience teaching private lessons, the last three of which have been full time. The musical life I live today includes continued study, teaching mindful music lessons, and my freelance career that I have cultivated in my new home.
Piano Lessons for Alzheimers
My grandma passed away when she was 74 years old after a long battle with Alzheimer's. After what she, my grandpa, and my family experienced with this disease, I began seeking out families who were going through the same thing, to use music to spread joy to those experiencing this disease. Music and playing an instrument is one of the few activities that uses both sides of the brain at the same time. Building myelin, creating brain cells - these things can slow the progression of Alzheimer's.
While the science says it, at the forefront for me is the emotional impact. Music creates story, connection, a path into the present moment and away from the isolating confusion that manifests in those at any stage of the disease. For the family to see their loved one in joy is a healing ripple.
I have done piano lessons, played piano, accompanied my students while they sing. I have helped a dementia student recover use of a hand after a stroke. Really, anything goes that creates a bridge to the healing salve of music. Being this vehicle is a privilege. My job is to bring the music, bring the joy. I work with people at the piano to have fun, create joy, and build neuroplasticity between the left/right brain to delay the aggression of this disease. It's science and spiritual.
Piano Lessons
I travel to where you are in central and upcountry Maui. Please contact me to make arrangements.
Client Feedback:
I have come to think of weekly piano lessons as weekly life coaching. Thanks to Adrienne my children have learned and used tools that will help them through their lives, tools that help them with self-sufficiency and resilience. They are so proud when they can learn new and challenging things on their own. Adrienne’s holistic approach has provided our daughters skills and confidence that will far outlive their lessons! — Amy, Chicago, IL
Adrienne has helped my son and I grow as musicians and as people. We learned scales and pieces that we enjoy, but we also learned how to persevere when faced with difficult pieces or emotions, how to break things down into manageable chunks so that we could feel incremental success, how to accept frustration and use it to fuel progress, and how to set a positive and open mindset with progress, not perfection, as our goal. As a teacher myself, I am so thankful my son has had another adult in his life who models positivity, perseverance, and self-awareness. Adrienne has been a blessing to our family and our future because of the lessons we've learned and practiced with her! — Lindsey, Chicago, IL
Adrienne is, hands down, the best piano/music teacher our family has worked with. She has an innate ability to connect with her students and meet them at their current needs. She is patient and flexible while keeping her students focused on their goals and the learning process. Adrienne understands that every child learns in their own unique way and she works with each student to find what works best for them. Our kids have flourished with her as their teacher! — Nicole, Chicago, IL
Adrienne has been our son's music teacher for over 4 years. While he only works with her once a week, she has truly become a part of our family. She has been an incredible and dedicated professional, acting beyond her role as piano instructor to help improve with voice coaching, being a voice of reason, and a compassionate friend to our son. She just "gets" him. Adrienne has an innate sense of when he needs a push or when he needs a praise in order to get where they are trying to go. She is from the breed of best teachers, setting a high bar for her students and through mutual respect they aim high and together accomplish their goals. — Jen, Chicago, IL
