Music Lessons in La Verne, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele

I began teaching in 2006, at a studio in Mishawaka, IN. I started with a handful of students and eventually had a studio of 50 students a week. I have worked with a variety of personality types and learning styles and have always customized my approach to meet each of my students individual needs and goals. I am a classical musician by education and trade, and I believe proper technique and training forms the basis for learning and working in any style of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Accordion French Horn Music Keyboard

I find that metaphors using familiar things and processes, like the laws of nature and physics we see everyday, can help students grasp concepts that require marrying physical movements with mental flexibility. Perhaps we're discussing articulations and you're having trouble understanding stylistically how to approach and execute staccato with legato over it. We could turn to methods like the Breathing Gym to practice a physical manifestation of how that articulation should sound. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

At Richland, I was the lead instructor in the areas of string performance and music theory, as well as director of the Richland String Orchestra and the Richland Chamber Strings. Highlights of my performing career have included performances of the Kabalevsky and Shostakovich concertos with the Clear Lake Symphony, the Fort Bend Symphony, and the Houston Youth Symphony. I served as principal cellist of the Henry Mancini Festival Orchestra, performed live with the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, recorded with the hard rock band Our Last Night (check out the music video below!), and played for several years as part of a Persian-Flamenco fusion band. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I spend a couple of minutes every week quizzing them on their keyboard note identification until this has become a solid foundation for them. For additional practise, I have them colour in worksheets in addition to the quizzing. We also play the keyboard race game which is always a hit with students. A number of my new students in this age category are transfer students who have been learning for some time and are reading music notation in their method books, despite having significant trouble identifying notes on the keyboard quickly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ

For beginning piano students I always like to start lessons with keyboard familiarity, vocabulary and recognition. we play games and use rhythm sticks and learn patterns and placement on the piano. I also start with finger placement and strengthening skills with repetitive Finger Phrases and John Thompson basic levels 1 through 3 songs. I also teach students how to "FEEL" the key signatures with scales and drills that help them become familiar with the keyboard. Read More

Instruments: Flute

For both my younger and adult students, I like to start lessons with warm ups, then move to technique training, etude, finally to solo pieces, with each lesson including a brief review of the previous lesson. For beginning students, I start with teaching them about breathing, posture, and positioning of the instrument, so students can develop solid foundation, and good playing habits. For more experienced students, I try to find out what they want to improve on and learn, then pick out works suited to their level and interest. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I'm a motivated teacher who really takes interest in my students and their development. Growing up, I always excelled in the arts but never had the opportunity to hone my skills with private lessons. That's why I treat each session with care and take education very seriously. In high school, I took an interest in composing and jazz improvisation. I was able to use those skills to obtain scholarships for University and continued to grow musically. Read More