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Neighborhood Music, Dr. Rosalie Sward

Rockford, IL 61114 (map)


Lessons Offered

Piano, Viola, Violin, Music

Where are Lessons Offered

In Teacher Studio

In Student Home


About Me

Website: (contact me).

I teach Piano, Violin, Viola and Music Theory in my home in Northeast Rockford. I have over 30 years of teaching experience in public and private venues at the elementary, junior high, high school and college levels.

I love to teach students of all ages, and try to provide my students with a patient, fun, and encouraging learning environment. I also specialize in motivation.

We have two optional recitals a year. Lots of fun, and parents and most students look forward to them. 

String students have the additional opportunity to play with each other in a small chamber orchestra as a part of their lesson experience.

This is particularly fun and worthwhile for students who do not have orchestra at school. It provides another dimension to their musical education and teaches them to play and listen to others in an ensemble setting.

Sometimes, parents who already know how to play a stringed instrument or are learning to play one, are able to play with us in the orchestra.

My Musical Education Background

Knox College, Bachelor of Arts (Music Major)
Northwestern University (Master of Music)
Northwestern University (Doctor of Music, Ph.D.)

I have also studied at Interlochen Music Academy/National Music Camp, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Stevens Point (Suzuki Institute) and Whitewater, State University of New York in Binghamton, Illinois Weslyan University and Aix en Provence in France.

Genres and Subjects Taught

For piano students I use Faber, Alfred and Bastien methods, as well as Hanon, supplemented with musical selections in many areas of string and piano music.

For string students I combine Suzuki and traditional methods.

All of my students learn to read notes and I have them sight-read new music at each lesson.

For students who have taken lessons before, I will be happy to continue with whatever methods/books they have been using.

Lesson Rates

Weekly lesson rates (as of September 1, 2016)

30 minute lesson, 1 student $18.00
30 minute lesson, 2 siblings, or child/parent $22.00
60 minute lesson, 2 siblings $32.00
60 minute lesson, 3 siblings $42.00
90 minute lesson, 3 siblings $48.00

No charge for first lesson.

Weekly payments are accepted. Cash or check.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

Ages 6 through Adult

My Certifications and Awards

Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity
Pi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Fraternity

As a public school teacher my students consistently won more than 95% first place awards at the annual solo and ensemble contests. I have accompanied all of my students.

My orchestra won First Place Ratings at the State group contests for 12 years in a row.

I have also judged a number of music contests, so I am well aware of what qualities and techniques are expected from students on their instruments at each level.

My Musical Influences

Since I am a string (orchestral player) as well as a pianist, I have a classical music background, but have performed and taught all types of music.

My favorite composers are Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I love band music and have been very active as a parent and writer for the International Drum and Bugle Corps activity (DCI).


Service Area


Student Reviews




Chicago, IL

Congratulations on having the best junior high school orchestra I have ever heard in forty years of being a musician. What a great performance! I don't think I've ever seen contest judges applaud after a performance, and I know I've never heard one say"Wow" before. Your group was simply electrifying and thrilling. Thank you for making my day.


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Neighborhood Music, Dr. Rosalie Sward

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