I grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and began playing piano at age 9 with the help of my older sister who also played piano. During my high school years, I focused on composition, which became my main area of study during college. Through my college training at the University of California in Santa Cruz and San Jose State University I supported myself by giving piano lessons, playing organ and piano for churches, and working as a freelance pianist. Currently, I am happy to be spending my time honing my keyboard abilities, teaching others to love the piano and music in general, and composing new pieces of music. 

Fifty years of keyboard experience, primarily in the classical genre.  Piano instructor for 30 years.  Comfortable with special needs students (ADHD, Tourette's, aphasia).  I specialize in preparing students for higher education requirements and professional careers.

I am a patient and encouraging piano and voice teacher that loves catering lessons to the individual student, based on their musical interests and background.  I have been playing piano and singing since age five, studying classical piano until my college years, and then transitioning to jazz piano and voice in undergraduate school.  I also used to play the tenor saxophone and dabble in guitar.  Currently, I am the singer, keyboardist, and songwriter of a rock band that plays shows at prominent bay area venues.  I am also currently in graduate school working on an MA in Counseling.  

Melissa, a professional operatic Soprano, has a passion for imparting a love of music to aspiring musicians. She has been singing as long as she can remember and playing piano for over 10 years. She employs a comprehensive approach to developing the entire musician. This includes learning to read music, technique, performance, stage presence, dressing the part, and how to audition successfully.

I grew up in a famous family of classical musicians.  I started piano at age 3, and flute at age 7.  I have been teaching since age 14.  I studied witih Louise DiTullio in Los Angeles and then pursued a career in jazz, and world music.  I have recorded six cds on my own label, Unika Records.  I have a passion for music and I am told that I spread that passion to my students.  I am very good with beginners, but I love advanced players as well.  I am patient and I encourage the student to learn all they can about every angle of music.  I have an extensive resume of folks I have played with, including but not limited to Hubert Laws, Freddie Hubbard, Taylor Eigsti,  Airto and Flora Purim. I attended USC, and graduated with honors.  I compose, sing, arrange and love to share my music that is inside of me with students.