Music Lessons in Port Costa, CA

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method for complete beginners is to take examples from method books such as the Aaron Shearer method book, and apply it so that the student can become accustomed to using their fingers to pluck and frets strings. After they get a sense of how to use their hands on the instrument, I would automatically start teaching pieces. I believe that pieces are the most practical way to learn an instrument because first, playing pieces is the goal that we want to achieve in the first place and second, I believe that all of the techniques that are needed when playing an instrument are all included in pieces. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In 2014, I was also featured in the Acoustic Guitar Magazine May 2014 issue, as one of the "30 Great Acoustic Guitarists under the age of 30." I studied classical guitar performance with Bill Coulter at the University of California, Santa Cruz. There, I also received masterclasses with classical guitarists, Andrew York, Benjamin Verderi, and Grisha Goryachev. I have also studied with acclaimed fingerstyle players such as Alex de Grassi and Thomas Leeb at their summer workshops. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I enjoy observing each student’s character in their playing and design lessons tailored for them. Also finding a good balance between the music that a student is good at, and others that a student is not familiar with. Playing piano is in a way of expressing one's opinion through music. Learning the history, musicology, stories behind a piece, and the different techniques and tones for expressing the music, are all important features in my teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I have been teaching music since 2001. I was the music program director at Mission Hills Middle School and the guitar and conga teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. I have also been a music instructor with Star Power Music, COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. I teach all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Music

My teaching career began at age 18. I started with only two students, and have since grown to teaching at three studios with 23 students across all studios. My main focus with all of my students is to expose them to all that music can offer them. Not only is music scientifically proven to improve brain function (it literally makes you smarter), it also promotes important qualities in young students; being an instrumentalist helps you learn responsibility (taking care of an instrument), discipline (daily practice), and perseverance (continuing to play despite mistakes). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The most rewarding thing for me in teaching is learning how to create with my student. Finding the best tools for growth with the student and accessing them is the crucial component to how I teach. Gaining trust, confidence, and joy in lessons produces the highest and most sustainable growth and development of the technique, sound, and musicality of the growing musician. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Vocal coaching as a profession is quite new to me because until just recently I've always focused on my own development as a performer and artist, however, I've often assisted my fellow co-artists, classmates, bandmates, and even friends with improving vocal technique and performance quality. In my college classes, we were encouraged to provide feedback about a classmates performance and I absolutely loved when they would apply my advice and everyone saw a significant improvement in performances thereafter. Read More