Music Lessons in Avalon, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I have taught private lessons with the guitar, piano, didgeridoo, ukulele. I usually try to find out where the student is at and their goals and try to build off of that giving them tools to keep them going and to inspire and create insight. Each lesson I give them a focal point like learning a scale and get them to focus different musical aspects such working on fingering, rhythm, tone, loudness or softness, phrasing. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

Ive enjoyed a distinguished career in Los Angeles as a player and a teacher since the 1970s.Ihold a BA in Music from California State University Long Beach and trained extensively under both Murrary Spivack and Richard Wilson, two masters of drum technique with hundreds of successful pupils worldwide. I'veworked or recorded with such artists as Bill Cunliffe, Bob Sheppard, John Patitucci, Eddie Harris, Tony Malaby, Putter Smith, Eric Marienthal, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, Steve Cardenas, Scott Colley, Alan Broadbent, Gary Foster, and Alan Pasqua to name just a few. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

This is important for students of all ages and skill levels and is something students can forever practice and improve upon. I also focus part of the lesson on learning various scales, arpeggios, and other theory based materials. Lastly, I like for students to work on real songs that can be used for performance during every lesson. Thus, the 3 areas I focus on are breathing and overall sound, theory and technique, and perfomance repetoire. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I have an easy-going style of teaching where I focus on the interests of the student first. The reality of learning an instrument is that unless practice is fun and interesting, there will not be enough of it. As such, I make sure to gamify the practice and find concrete ways to measure the progress of the student. In the end, I find that building a deep interest and encouraging a passion for music is a sure-fire way for students to grow as musicians while enjoying the journey at the same time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I help students to progress at their own pace. Little by little, we build upon what we learned in the previous lesson. In the first lesson, I make sure to establish goals that we can always work to achieve. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I have performed in several genres. I started performing in Community orchestras, Santa Monica Symphony and the Burbank Symphony. I have worked as a studio musician several major record companies in the area of flute performance, orchestrating and arranging music for various recording artist. My teaching experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District spans 16 years in instrumental music. I believe to successfully teach a subject matter, an instructor must not only have a thorough knowledge but a concise and clear path of instructions that lead to positive learning outcomes. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

When I receive a new student the first thing I do is assess where they are technically and what their interests are. From there I develop custom lesson plans that are design to improve a certain technique while learning new music. For example if a student comes in and really loves Michael Jackson's music but doesn't know how to hold the drumsticks or read music, I will give them basic exercises to improve their lack of technical ability and then we'll apply it to a song. Read More