Music Lessons in Mission Rafael, CA

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

For beginning students in flute and piano, I use Trevor Wye flute books and Alfred piano books, respectively. These books cover fundamentals and hand technique and once that is learned and internalized, then I will introduce more solo or accompanied repertoire that they would eventually perform in a recital. For beginning composition students (which are taught remotely on Zoom), I will go over different "lectures" about fundamental music theory and integrate short composition assignments that go according to what was learned in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I'm a passionate teacher that expects the best from his students. But at the same time I want my students to enjoy the music they are creating. In 2008, I graduated from the University of Illinois with a BM in Jazz Performance/Saxophone Performance. I have been fortunate to travel and play in 105 countries all over the world playing at many jazz festivals and concert halls. While traveling I was also asked to speak at schools as well as many top Universities in France, England, China, and the Philippines. 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: Piano Oboe

One of the most enjoyable things about teaching is to learn from my students and learn to harmoniously interact with different personalities. My teaching experience dates back to my high school junior year in California, as I began teaching private piano and oboe lessons at students' homes, and have been consistently teaching one-on-one lessons until currently. I started with teaching children and younger teenagers, and then began to teach adults during my undergraduate years. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I preach the fundamentals, from building tone to gaining proficiency in theory. I will show my students long tone exercises to develop their sound, scales and arpeggios to develop their technique, sight-reading sheet music, and much more. I encourage my students to explore the genres that fascinate them. For example, if they wish to learn jazz, then I will help them learn standards, transcribe solos, and read chord changes, as well as gain an ability to improvise. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I tailor each lesson to the unique self and stage of musical development of the student and actively create custom lesson plans and materials to best suit their progress and musical curiousities. Improvisation and rhythm games, music theory essentials, and instrumental basics are core components of my teaching practice. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

My only teaching philosophy is simple-- all learning comes from the student, not the teacher. If the student isn't engaged and having fun, no amount of teaching will have an effect! I like to tailor specific exercises to my students that most fundamental books do not have, giving them a level of individual attention that encourages fast, specific improvement. Students of mine typically leave lessons with a personalized set of exercises to help them achieve their goals. Read More