Music Lessons in Blackhawk, CA

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar

My experience as a musician goes back to when I tinkered around on an organ as a young child, then continued when I started formal piano lessons. As an adult, I have performed on bass guitar in two bands and participated on an ongoing basis in church worship bands, which involves learning a new set of songs for every service. During college, I began as a music major and received further training on piano as well as took three semesters of music theory courses. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo

I am a classically trained musician, specializing in woodwinds.  I received my Bachelors of Music with an emphasis in Music Education and Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music in 2014.  I have played with Symphonies, Big Bands, Jazz Bands, Ballets, and in many musical theater productions throughout California, and in Boston while attending Berklee.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

Playing piano is my greatest reward in life, being able to bring a smile to a face of any age. After graduating from Cal Poly with a concentration in performance and theory, I was musical director of The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville theater. I was able to broaden my horizons performing, teaching, composing and arranging all different styles of music.and can even play piano upside down now! I was also music director of a local Christian church which has enabled me to become proficient in sacred/praise music as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Stiffness is the enemy of piano playing and it can also cause harm to tendons, ligaments, etc.... I always give exercises to illustrate the different "touches" (finger dexterity, legato, staccato, singing-tone, octaves, etc...) used in playing the piano. It is also very important to have a good sense of musical style - baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc... I focus on being as true as possible in honoring what I believe to be the wishes of the composer. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Im a dedicated and passionate creative with years of experience to share with my students; Im empathetic and good at teaching you the way you learn. I grew up playing blues and jazz in venues and clubs around the Bay Area as a teen and later graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Electronic Production and Design, where I had the opportunity to dive into the world of production, synthesis and electronics while simultaneously studying guitar as my principle instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I first began taking private students in the 1990s, and continued to teach privately through my undergraduate years in the early 2000s. Though I stopped for some time to pursue artistic and professional ventures in music, I recently returned to the teaching realm, and am exciting to take on new students. In addition to private brass lessons, I have taught music in public schools through various non-profits and, above all, enjoy the light that comes on in a student's eyes when he/she "gets it." It is why I do what I do. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for singing! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I try to set realistic goals for my students at each lesson. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs!I encourage my students to practice at least 15 minutes per day and I continually each student new materials to practice( which is age appropriate.) My teaching method always includes at least one Broadway musical piece and one monologue for them to learn in case they need an audition piece. Read More