Music Lessons in Birds Landing, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginners, I typically focus on teaching straightforward open chords, along with scales and exercises to improve finger dexterity. Following that, I guide them in incorporating melodies or soloing over chords. We delve into strumming patterns and cover fundamental techniques for warming up. With intermediate players, my approach involves introducing chord inversions and delving into basic music theory. Topics include understanding how to stay in a key and identifying the diatonic chords within it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Piccolo Music Keyboard

Music has helped me a lot through out my life and I want to be able to watch students develop a passion and fall in love with music. I want to make sure that students progress at his or her own speed. I will help sett goals for my students at each lesson to help them progress in their music. I will acknowledge the students accomplishments to help my students progress and keep my students eager to learn more about music and their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone

I began teaching during my sophomore year of high school with private trumpet lessons. Since then, I have taught college courses in music performance, history, composition, and music theory, and continue to teach private trumpet lessons from the beginner level up to my current college students. I have gone on to be a seminal figure in the trumpet community around the world. I have embarked on solo tours as well as with a 90 piece orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a very supportive and encouraging teacher who loves helping students reach new achievements. To me, there is no better feeling than seeing the light bulb click for each student as they learn new concepts. It gives me so much joy seeing a student do something they thought they could never do before. I understand that each student is different with different learning curves so I do make each lesson different for every student's needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

As an educator, I provide masterclasses and privately teaches trombone and euphonium to players of all skill levels. Throughout my professional studies, I have participated in national international festivals, including the Prague Summer Nights Festival and Miami Music Festival. I have performed in masterclasses for professional trombonists such as Timothy Higgins, Joe Alessi, Sean Reusch, Colin Wise, Ken Wolff, and Ross Holcombe. Before my collegiate career, I attended the Merit School of Music and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am an energetic instructor who loves to share my love of music and theater with my students. I graduated with a theater degree from UC Irvine, but have significant musical/voice training as well. I was a professional musical theater actress for 10 years and also spent 4 years performing on Cruise Ships in revue companies and as a headliner. I have performed in Carnegie Hall and all around the world. Read More