Flute Lessons in Sepulveda, CA

Instruments: Flute

My educational background includes a Single Subject Teaching Credential, and a Bachelor and Masters Degree in classical and jazz studies.  As an educator, I have produced outcomes of first place awards with superior ratings in instrumental music festival/competitions local and statewide. In 2003 I established Knights of Music Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization to provide music literacy after school to children attending public elementary schools that do not provide instrumental music as part of their curriculum. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

My teaching style is very much praxial and based off of skill reinforcement. For any instrument, I will incorporate the Kodaly method (solfege) of musicianship into the curriculum. For me, my goal is to teach the student how to learn for themselves. I focus on practice techniques, assessment of tone, sound, rhythms, pitches, etc. Rather than spoon feed all of the answers to the students, I wish to encourage each musician to develop their own critical mind towards the art that they create. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

With beginning students, I start with the fundamentals of the instrument, including embouchure and finger technique, as well as the ability to breathe properly, which is fundamental to playing any wind instrument.  I also introduce beginning students to basic musical concepts, such as reading music, and tailor the musical selection to their tastes or to whatever group they are playing in, most often a school band class.  For more advanced students, I observe what areas the student needs the most work in and tailor the lessons specifically to dealing with those areas, as well as catering to their individual musical tastes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods are the ones that works more for the student. For some reason some methods work better with certain people. One method can be tedious for a student and easy and fun for another. Hal Leonard's can be a good tool. I can use to many different books. Also I can write down specific exercises special for the student. Some times a student can learn faster without a book. Read More

Instruments: Flute Music

In 2013, I decided to move to the United States and broadened my musical scope to include not only Classical music but also popular genres such as Latin jazz, Traditional Cuban music and folklore. Aside from performing, I am also a music teacher who has been involved in various educational works, including Caesura Youth Orchestra, a non-profit organization that strives to give underprivileged children a better life through the learning of music. 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

He is featured on the John Daversa Big Band's latest studio album, "American Dreamers". As a grad student at Miami, Derek was a guest lecturer in Jazz Pedagogy courses and guest conducted the Frost Studio Jazz Band. He has been a member of the Jazz Education Network since 2013 and the International Trombone Association since 2014. His teachers include Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, Tony Baker, Steve Wiest, Andre Hayward, and Dante Luciani. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Oboe Bassoon

I am very familiar with all of the standard piano methods, and will evaluate the student in the first few lessons to choose a method that they will be the most comfortable with.  I supplement all lessons with music theory and outside repertoire, allowing the students to choose from their favorite genres/artists.  For theatre, musical theatre, and vocal coaching, I also employ Linklater and Alexander techniques. I also really enjoy exposing students to styles, genres or artists that they might not be familiar with along with the history behind the music they're learning! Read More