Piano Lessons in Pinole, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar

Flowing between the presentation of new information and the actual active playing music is very important to the way I conduct lessons. Especially for the young, I place much more emphasis on facilitating musical experiences rather than the integration of musical nomenclature and conceptualization. When we learn to speak, our ears guide us first, and we imitate. Writing and reading comes later. I've found that this pertains to music as well, if not even moreso. Read More

Instruments: Piano Oboe

If a student is not interested in classical music, then I may introduce some film music, popular songs, or jazz music in solo piano versions. I am pretty open-minded to provide options for students and allow students to pick the repertoires they are interested. For advanced students, I may assign one or two pieces from each stylistic period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and Contemporary) to prepare them for a full recital program. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo

For beginning students, I place a large emphasis on the fundamentals i.e. scales, chord progressions etc. I also start them on solo pieces and like them to choose the pieces they are working on. I believe that if they choose their repertoire then they will have greater love and enthusiasm for the music. I also encourage them to push beyond what they think they can do. I work hard to match my teaching style to the needs of each and every student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I'm a composer-flutist and flute/piano teacher who received a PhD in music composition and theory with departmental distinction from UC Davis in June 2021. I also hold a master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory and a bachelor's from Columbia University. My own compositions have been performed at music festivals across the U.S. and in Europe. I have won several calls for scores, including calls from the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (2020), North/South Consonance (2019), Vox Musica (2017), and New Music on the Bayou (2016). Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

If you are beginning and are a child, then Hal Leonard's Essential Elements is a very general and safe place to start. I firmly believe that establishing a solid set of fundamentals is a great place to start. It is important to not lose motivation during this period, progress is rewarding and it gets even better! After a solid foundation is established fundamentally, the individual is opened into a musical world with limitless possibilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I love forming partnerships with my students. When we work together, we begin to speak the same language and work toward your goals in a positive way. You will have an opportunity to play music from various styles and musical periods. There is no predestined path here. I tried that when I was in my 20's, and learned very quickly that every student is different. Everyone's paths diverged, and all those notes I had taken to plan ahead for the next six months didn't work at all. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

Octavio M. is a Venezuelan-American cellist with an impressive background in performance and teaching. He recently earned his Master's Degree Diploma from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Octavio has won several awards, including the Latin Grammy Foundation Scholarship, The Blair Scholarship, Barron String Orchestral Scholarship, and the William E. Duckwitz Talent Scholarship. He has performed as a soloist with the SFCM Baroque Ensemble, the Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Tachira, and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. Read More