Cello Lessons in Walnut Creek, CA

Instruments: Cello

Aside from performing, I have also been teaching students in private as well as in music schools for more than 35 years, ages ranging from as young as five years old to working adults. Starting from 2004, I have taught at David K's Music School in San Jose, where I am still teaching currently. During my teaching career, I have assisted countless students in preparing for orchestra auditions, as well as the more advanced students for local contests and competitions. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Any learning repertoire can be incorporated into lessons depending on the students playing level. Read More

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

For the Advanced Beginner to Intermediate students (both adults and children) I use a mix of the higher level of all series listed above and a series of pieces that will challenge my students to explore their musicality, expression, awareness, and technical skills. For Cello Students: My beginner to intermediate cello students are taught using a combination the the following method books: All for Strings, Belwin Course for Strings, The ABC's of Cello, and Strictly Strings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

For beginner students I like to start them with basic principles such as how to properly hold the bow and how to properly sit with the cello. I like to use methods such as Suzuki to work on musicality, and Essential elements to work on basics. For intermediate I like to work with the Popper etudes and the Bach Cello Suites, I also add some of the more advanced Suzuki books. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For younger students and beginners, I like to keep lessons fun and short, allowing them to learns the elements of playing while enjoying the thrill of making beautiful sounds. I like to start with New Direction for Strings for fundamentals and short songs , while peppering in pieces from the suzuki books and fun exercises I've picked up along the way to facilitate learning away from the instrument. For more experienced students, I like to make a musical diet of etudes, scales, exercises, and repertoire to facilitate a well rounded technique, dexterity, and musical freedom. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My teaching style is open book. What I find motivates a student is what they wish to learn and music they want to play. The basic foundation is one of the key elements to better musicality but also the study of listening and understanding music drives what we consider the originality of each musician. I believe that as much as physical practice drives the growth of a student, I want to build motivation for the student to pursue greater things with music and allow it to translate to other parts of his/her life as it has for myself. Read More

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

Music is something that takes time to understand. It clicks in some students, but most kids take a while to develop musically. Patience is the most pronounced characteristic in my teaching style. It's easy to tell the student what they're doing wrong and what to correct, but that doesn't mean it's the most effective practice. Some kids will get nervous and make the same mistake over and over again. This is where it's important to use positive reinforcement and give the student time and space to be able to understand their mistake and fix it. Read More