Cello Lessons in La Habra Heights, CA

Instruments: Voice Cello Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

In 1984 I was a music instructor for the Canadian Forces School of Music in Esquimalt British Columbia. Over the last three decades I have taught one-on-one lessons and ensembles at all levels including Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. More recently I founded MusiCali Kids with my wife, servicing families with the award winning program Music Together. I recently taught for the Crestwood Music Education center in N.Y. where I had over 30 students, as well as served as Conductor of the string orchestras and percussion ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I have five years of teaching experience, starting through the Saturday Conservatory of Music and Belmont Music Studio, and currently teaching cello through The Youth Center in the Los Alamitos Unified School District, including at Lee Elementary and Los Alamitos Elementary. As a performer myself — with the San Gabriel Symphony, South Orange County Orchestra, and as a cellist who's played under conductors like Gustavo Dudamel and Rafael Payare — I try to bring that same discipline and joy for the music into my teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements book, as well a basic understanding of music. Once the student has progressed to have a nice grasp of the fundamentals of music, I usually begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I also believe in the importance of listening to as many professional recordings as possible of the instrument the student is taking lessons on. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I've found that keeping an open mind about methods is really helpful when dealing with beginning students, young and old. I've tought from various method series including Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, Emily Wright's A Modern Cellist's Manual, Muller Rusch, and more. While I'm not a certifited Suzuki instructor, I do teach from the Suzuki method when students or parents request it. What's important is matching the right method to the right student which I tend to determine at our initial lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

Before the first lesson I ask the student what their goals are and what they want to do with their musical study in the future. First and foremost for both 'cellists and pianists is to learn the notes with flashcards so that the student will not be thinking of every note they need to "find" but it will be so automatic that all the student has to do is bring out their musicality through the pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Cello

Music should be fun. Plain and simple thats why I believe and that is whats kept me pushing forward. Its not going to always be an easy experience learning new things but that does not mean it cannot be fun. I want my students to feel like they are more than enough to play this song or sing that song. I want my students to believe in themselves as much as I believe in them. Read More

Instruments: Cello

It's important to move at the student's pace - whatever speed that may be. It's important to build a solid foundation but that doesn't necessarily mean mastery or perfection. It's easy to lose interest if stuck on one piece to long so we'll move through the material as quickly or as slowly as the student desires as long as the foundation is there. Supplementary material is worked in as well to keep things interesting and each lesson unique and fun. Read More