Cello Lessons in Pleasanton, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

I always start a lesson with a new student by assessing their current skill level. If the student already has a certain curriculum they are working on, I usually have them pick up from where they left off so I can see where we're at. Taking things into consideration like intonation, posture, dynamics, form etc., I either assign a new curriculum or continue on. My lessons usually consist of 3 books: a scale book, an etude book, and a leveled song book like the Suzuki method. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginners I like to meet the student where they are. I enjoy using unconventional training methods like using analogies and items to build the basic foundations. I also believe in methods aside from a rigid Suzuki book but playing into a student's interests. There are a number of ways to teach learn. My favorite students are those open to learning from the basics and utilizing unique exercises to build a strong foundation for success. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Recorder Music Acoustic Guitar

The skill level of my students range from Beginner to Intermediate. For Piano Students: My beginner students start with the Bastien Piano Basic Method Books. I assess what book level is necessary during our first lesson. Other beginner material I use are: Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Books, Older Beginner Piano Course (For Adult Beginner Students), and Piano Adventures series. Book levels vary per student and some additional material may fall to the responsibility of the students family to purchase. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Music

I am passionate about teaching music, and believe any student can learn. I boarded and studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for high school and graduated from Guilford College with a Bachelor of Arts in Viola performance. I am currently obtaining my Masters from Berklee School of Music. I have played in dynamic bands of multiple genre and in symphonies as well. I am new to the Bay Area from Greensboro, NC, where I was born and raised. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I am a lifelong student and teacher of music, and I love sharing what I've picked up over my many years of learning and performing. I have degrees from 4 institutions including The University of South Florida and The Boston Conservator, but my experiences in music extend beyond academic pursuits. I have performed classical music in Boston, Banff, Montreal, San Francisco, and Carnegie Hall, traveled to Germany to perform rock n roll, and recorded on soundtracks for movies and video games. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I encourage my students to focus on listening to the sounds they produce and if the sound is of the wrong essence, then I will work with them to find a way to correct the sound. As a form of encouragement, I never hesitate to compliment my students whenever they make accomplishments or strides in progress. I prefer using a Suzuki book for beginners and other etudes and solo pieces for more advanced students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

I try to balance the needs of my students and work to strengthen their musical weaknesses for example working on Vibrato or bow distribution. Usually, I like to spend 10 minutes warming up both hands with long tones, scales, arpeggios, and other fun exercises. During the next 30 minutes, we tend to focus on fixing issues relating to the music such as rhythms or intonation issues. In the last 20 minutes of the lesson I tend to focus on musicality and finding inspiration to give to my students so they can exploit their potential. Read More