Music Lessons in Altadena, CA

Instruments: Viola

I have been teaching students viola/violin both privately and in group settings since I was in high school. I did a teaching internship for a year at the middle school level for a year while in college as well as running all the viola sectionals for my university orchestra as the principal violist for 4 years. After graduating with my bachelors, I did an internship shadowing the high school orchestra director in my college town for 6 months and taught many of their students privately as well. Read More

Instruments: Cello Music

Seeing my students enjoy and grow in their passion for music is the most rewarding part in my teaching. I can be a tiger teacher but at the same time be very patient, flexible, supporting, and open to listen to my students. I value communication with my students during every lesson, making sure if they are following along. I consistently ask questions to my students about how they feel, their opinions, or what they’re struggling with. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I believe that every student learns differently and at different levels. I also know that you get out of lessons what you put into them so I require that students practice at home in addition to their weekly lessons. I have recitals twice a year and I believe that being able to play in a group setting and having a goal of performing really gives students the motivation to practice. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

When I start with a student, I try to find out what kind of goals they have in learning about clarinet. Whether it's just to learn how to play a few songs or if they want to audition into music school, I channel wherein music their passion lies into my teaching. Regardless of their goals, my hope is that with all of my students, I can give them a new perspective of music and help develop the same passion I found in clarinet within their learning and music making. There is no greater reward to me than having a student walk away from a lesson feeling more inspired to play. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I primarily use original material when I teach, but occasionally Ill work from standard method books such as Stick Control, Master Studies, and Syncopation, or assign pages from more recent books like John Rileys The Art of Bop Drumming. Ill also pull out books specifically for sight reading such as Anthony Cirones Portraits in Rhythm. For beginning and intermediate students I focus on fundamental technique, basic sight reading skills, and drum set playing (independence/coordination of the limbs, relaxation and balance, time and groove, fills and solos, introduction of musical styles, etc.) For advanced students I get into more conceptual and creative aspects of playing the drums, but I also introduce the Spivack/Wilson technique which I learned during my studies with Murray Spivack and Richard Wilson in the 1980s [check out the 4-part series featured in Modern Drummer magazine in 2011-2012]. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I am a musician, performer, and educator located in the Los Angeles area, in Pasadena. I recevied my MA in Music in 2013, concentraing in jazz. I wrote a MA thesis about current jazz music in Los Angeles. I am very passionate about teaching and have been teaching privately for 5 years. My main instrument is saxophone, but I also teach clarinet and piano up intil the intermediate level. I perform regularly with mulitple gourps, I compose for many instruments, and I teach at various music schools throught the Los Angeles area. 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