Music Lessons in Dunnigan, CA

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

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am a composer, vocalist, sometime percussionist and keyboard player. I received my Associates of Arts in Traditional Music, Composition from American River College in 2016. I am currently working on my Bachelors of Music in Music, Composition at California State University, Northridge. While at ARC, I studied composition, jazz theory, improve and piano with Joe Gilman. I studied classical piano with Heidi VanRegenmorter, classical voice with Catherine Fagiolo, and jazz vocal styles with Art LaPierre. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I approach teaching with specific methods in mind, but I always tailor my lessons to the student. I keep an open mind to switching things up if and idea isn't clicking, because the student and their love for music is what I care about most. I'm a fan of trying different things and working towards the student's goals. I want the student to have fun, most importantly, and I want them to grow and feel confident in their voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons almost 20 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio, several Piano Academies, and students' homes. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trombone

I believe lessons should be fun and engaging. I believe the most improvement in a student comes from practice time, so my goal as a teacher is to show the student how to practice most effectively by applying what they learned in their lessons in their practice sessions. If it is all right with them, we can record the lesson so they can go back and watch. As a teacher, I believe it is important to be positive and supporting, giving constructive criticism guide the student to play better while also boosting the student's confidence. 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: Piano Voice Ukulele Keyboard

For beginning and intermediate students on piano, I generally teach out of Piano Adventures as a supplement, but teach other songs the student requests. For voice lessons, I tailor my supplemental book teaching to the students individual learning abilities, as well as learning songs they are passionate about. My philosophy on learning music is that a students should NEVER play a song that they hate! I tailor my instruction accordingly to keep lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their skill level. Read More