Music Lessons in Clayton, CA

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Students are excited to see others perform and get trophies and performance awards which motivates them to practice. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I feel I'm not doing my job. I am also a composer who plays with my own rock band and I teach both songwriting and composition. I help my students with composing original music as well as arranging covers of popular hits. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method for complete beginners is to take examples from method books such as the Aaron Shearer method book, and apply it so that the student can become accustomed to using their fingers to pluck and frets strings. After they get a sense of how to use their hands on the instrument, I would automatically start teaching pieces. I believe that pieces are the most practical way to learn an instrument because first, playing pieces is the goal that we want to achieve in the first place and second, I believe that all of the techniques that are needed when playing an instrument are all included in pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

For beginner students I like to start them with basic principles such as how to properly hold the bow and how to properly sit with the cello. I like to use methods such as Suzuki to work on musicality, and Essential elements to work on basics. For intermediate I like to work with the Popper etudes and the Bach Cello Suites, I also add some of the more advanced Suzuki books. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

After that, I began a private studio out of my home and have been teaching privately at my in-home studio ever since. I also have experience teaching Music Theory and Ear Training, Music Appreciation and Private Voice Lessons at the college levelas an Adjunct Professor at Kishwaukee College in Malta, IL. I have always loved and enjoyed teaching! It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I am always eager to welcome new students of all ages! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music

It is my joy seeing my students learn from me and become successful in their musical journey. I help my students discover and develop their skill and talent in music. I always encourage my students to go beyond their comfort zone; to show their talents in music, and to share it to the community. I also incorporate games in my teaching. I also give my students an opportunity to choose the music they want to learn and teach it to get their interest. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

Normally with very young students I start with the parallel study of written music, basic technique and music learned by imitation. It is a question of repeating short fragments of melody and then composing the whole piece piece by piece. This practice is widely used in many musical traditions and leads the student to develop the ear and the memory, that is the main elements of the musical practice. This practice can be applied to all levels from the most basic to the most advanced. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have for the past twenty-two years been working as a Music Educator, Administrator, Jazz composer and performer. The last eleven of those years have been in the San Francisco Bay area at Oakland School for the Arts, teaching and leading large jazz ensembles, orchestra, small groups and music theory classes for grades 6-12. As Chairman of the Instrumental Music Department, I was responsible for teaching and developing music curricula, developing new programs, recruiting and auditioning new students, presenting and speaking with incoming parent groups, writing and developing the school A-G requirements, and meeting with community schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations. Read More