Music Lessons in Altadena, CA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I'm a professional saxophone player based in Los Angeles. At the age of 10, I started playing saxophone because my parents were asking me if I was interested in music. I started my first saxophone quartet at the age of 12. I was accepted by Shanghai Conservatory of Music's Contemporary Music department in 2012 under the instruction of the jazz saxophone professor Xiaolu Zhang. I recently graduated from New England Conservatory in Boston, where I did my masters under the instruction of Jerry Bergonzi, Miguel Zenon and Donny McCaslin. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For me seeing one of my students develop a passion for music is such areward! It is very important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I am constantly encouraging students to practice as slow as they need to. This eables students to have realistic goals each week that can be attained. It is important to take the time to acknowledge students and their accomplishments. This helps keep the learning fun and energetic. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

After I first received my Bachelor's Degree from CSU Fullerton, I opted to showcase my original music through distinct outlets. One of the resulting projects, themattsmithneujazztrio, has recorded three full-length records; my other project, JUICEBOX, has recorded two. I gained a masters of music in jazz drum set from California Institute of the Arts, where I was honored to record my own composition for the CalArts, 30th Annual Jazz CD at Capitol Records. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I stress the basics: scales, arpeggios and chords for piano and scales and double stops for violin. In regard to the piano, I have students practice each hand alone before combining them. Generally two pieces are assigned for students to work on and that work is continued for several weeks. I emphasize sight reading and rhythm. These are two aspects of music that are difficult for many. In regard to reading, the names and purposes of the various signs and symbols must be learned. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have been teaching private voice since high school, where I took on my first 8 year old student. I continued teaching lessons all through college, giving private instruction and theory tutoring to my classmates and fellow vocal performance students. It was there that I found my knack for repertoire and audition preparation; as a board member for the Berklee Musical Theater club, club members would often seek me out to select appropriate repertoire and rehears for their auditions. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I've played trombone for eleven years and have stuck with it for love of the instrument. I attended the LA County High School for the Art for three years, through which time I became serious about learning music. I went on to earn the Bob Cole Conservatory Scholarship at CalState Long Beach. My favorite courses were Brass Chamber Music and my various music history courses. I discovered a passion for Latin music history, and spent my last semester of college teaching music and English in Barcelona, Spain. Read More