Private lessons in Piano, Violin, Viola and Music Theory in my home by educated and experienced teacher. I welcome students from age 6 through adults at any ability level. I especially enjoy teaching beginners. I am patient, encouraging, motivating and enthusiastic and try to make the lessons enjoyable and productive for both the student and the teacher.
Served areas
- Rockford, Illinois Area
Highlights and features
- Teacher who loves to teach music to others!
Associations and certifications
- Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and election to Pi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Fraternity.
Services
Whether you want to nurture your child's love for music or develop your own talents, Dr. Rosalie Sward of Neighborhood Music looks forward to helping you. She offers piano, violin, and viola lessons in Rockford, IL, and surrounding areas. For long-distance students, private Zoom Lessons are available.
Our founder and instructor, Dr. Rosalie Sward, helps students develop their musical skills through flexible schedules, affordable rates, and a positive learning environment. You will not find a more dedicated music teacher than Dr. Sward. Her experience as an orchestra director helped her teach piano and stringed instrument lessons to more than 2,000 trainees. In addition, her teaching style is highly effective, boasting first place in many regional and state competitions with her orchestra and students.
Whether you wish to develop a new skill for yourself or your child, Neighborhood Music will guide you on your journey. We conduct private music lessons in Rockford, IL, for students of all ages, and using ZOOM, we can interact with students outside of the local area. Our pupils range from elementary school students to adults.
Our teachers are masterful musicians who introduce you to music theory, piano, violin, and more. We have taught hundreds of award-winning students over many years and owe our success to our gifted instructors and dedicated pupils. Learning to read and play music offers many benefits, including improved academic, creative, and personal skills.
People
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Reviews (20)
Ma Socorro Peralta
Dec 08, 2021
My daughter started her piano lessons when she was 5 and 1/2 years old. However, for me and her, it was not enough. Until one day, I stumbled upon Neighborhood Music while looking for piano teachers in the area. Now, she has been with Dr. Sward for 3 years and has significantly improved over that time period, thanks to Dr. Sward. I would highly recommend her to anybody who is looking for a teacher, and to anybody reading this, have a nice day
Hillary Fleming
Dec 05, 2021
Sherry King
Nov 24, 2021
My son started piano with Dr. Sward when he was just five and a half years old. She has taught him solid piano skills over the last 3 years and she challenges him appropriately at every lesson. She is able to engage her students with in-person lessons as well as remote zoom lessons. I highly recommend Dr. Sward to anyone considering piano lessons for their child.
C. S.
Nov 16, 2021
We are very grateful with our daughter's progression with her piano playing skills. She is enjoying sessions while it is now going online via Zoom. She has been learning from Dr. Sward since 1st grade. Our older son also had an excellent experience under her tutelage. We highly recommend Dr. Sward to anyone.
Tunga Baasan
Jan 17, 2020
I've been going to Ms. Rosalie for three years now and she's one of the best teachers I ever had. She's very straightforward and has high expectations for her students. She motivates me to try and do better every time. -Austin 11 years old. My son Austin takes violin lessons from Dr. Rosalie and she's one of the best teachers he's had. We love going to the recitals that she holds for her students every six months. It helps us see the improvements of our kid along with enjoying the talents of many others. Would definitely recommend Ms. Rosalie. -Mom
Donna H.
Oct 02, 2019
Misha Gupta
Feb 21, 2019
My sister and I have been taking lessons with Ms Rosalie for 4 years. One of the many things I love about Ms Rosalie is that she teaches us and makes sure that we have fun at the same time. She also makes sure that we understand the concepts completely before moving on. My sister and I play the piano/violin with her and highly recommend Ms Rosalie for lessons!
Misha Gupta
Dec 01, 2018
My sister and I have been taking lessons with Ms Rosalie for 4 years. One of the many things I love about Ms Rosalie is that she teaches us and makes sure that we have fun at the same time. She also makes sure that we understand the concepts completely before moving on. My sister and I play the piano/violin with her and highly recommend Ms Rosalie for lessons!
Andrew Kopecky
Oct 29, 2018
My daughter has been learning the violin for many years with Dr. Sward, and is now learning piano. Dr. Sward is an excellent teacher and I would recommend her to anybody who wants their child to learn these instruments. Dr. Sward has been teaching music to children all of her professional life. She is professional and and respectful toward children and parents, and she understands music teaching and learning techniques better than anybody I know.
Her background in music education speaks for itself, and no wrong note ever escapes her hearing. Her techniques get the best out of her students, challenging them to do more than they think they are capable of.
Her background in music education speaks for itself, and no wrong note ever escapes her hearing. Her techniques get the best out of her students, challenging them to do more than they think they are capable of.
Julie Girardin
May 24, 2018
Dr. Sward is a wonderful instructor. My son had started piano lessons through another program, but has advanced much more quickly with Dr. Sward. She offers just the right balance of encouragement and excellent instruction to each of her students. She also takes the time to get to know her students on a personal level, and for this reason my son shares a special bond with Dr. Sward. I would highly recommend Neighborhood Music for any lessons.
Audrey Rey
Mar 19, 2018
I have been taking lessons with Dr. Sward for 5 years. Dr. Sward is an excellent teacher who is patient and persistent. She has helped me excel in piano, violin, and also have fun at the same time. But most importantly, through her teaching, she has helped me to stay determined and appreciate the beauty of music.
Rakesh Shah
Jan 02, 2018
I have two children that play violin and piano, and we have been taking lessons with Ms. Rosali Sward for around 6 years. My children have had tremendous growth under her careful instruction and I could not be more happy with her instruction. In addition to weekly lessons, we participate in the recitals that she organizes. Both of my children enjoy participating in these recitals. I would highly recommend Ms. Rosalie Sward for music lessons.
Nikki T.
Dec 11, 2017
Sue Wenger
Sep 17, 2017
I highly recommend Rosalie as a violin, viola, and/or piano teacher. I have personally taken violin lessons from her, as well as, participated in her semi-annual recitals. She is patient and provides positive support to her students. She cares not only about the teaching but the personal growth of her students.
Mary Fuller
Andrew Kopecky
My daughter has been learning the violin for many years with Dr. Sward, and is now learning piano. Dr. Sward is an excellent teacher and I would recommend her to anybody who wants their child to learn these instruments. Dr. Sward has been teaching music to children all of her professional life. She is professional and and respectful toward children and parents, and she understands music teaching and learning techniques better than anybody I know.
Her background in music education speaks for itself, and no wrong note ever escapes her hearing. Her techniques get the best out of her students, challenging them to do more than they think they are capable of.
Her background in music education speaks for itself, and no wrong note ever escapes her hearing. Her techniques get the best out of her students, challenging them to do more than they think they are capable of.
Ellen
Guest G.
Neighborhood Music is a very friendly place to take lessons in violin, piano or viola. Dr. Sward is an excellent teacher and is very patient with the students. She makes lessons fun and has great recitals. String students also can take part in chamber music groups, which provides an orchestra experience they may not be getting at school.
Jodine
Dennis P.
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.