Music Lessons in Napa, CA

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

Instruments: Piano

I have started piano students off with Piano Adventures Primer Lessons and Theory, and have taught adults using the Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course. I do have students learning from John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers How to Play method (moves more quickly than Piano Adventures), and have a Blues Piano student learning from various sources including How to Play Boogie Woogie (Hal Leonard/Wise). I teach beginning guitar using the Hal Leonard Guitar Method, also Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method, and Mel Bay's Fun With Strums. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I would first begin with scales and just focus on getting the correct hand placements. After maybe one or two lessons with focusing on scales, we will then begin with Suzuki books. These books are great for getting the kids more familiar with music and also put their scale practicing to the test. Of course, the scales will still be continued however as the student progresses, we will focus less on scales and put our attention more on various classical music pieces. 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: Voice

I'm all about encouragement and accountability. I tailor each lesson to the student, based on their goals and what they need to succeed. My students want to work hard because I work hard for them. Music is not a chore, it's a passion, and that is an important distinction that is very clear in my method. The basis of my teaching style for all students is vocal health and artistic exploration. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have also had the opportunity to work with American Bach Soloists director Jeffrey Thomas who conducted the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the University chorus where I played both piano and celesta parts. It was a frightening and exhilarating experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. As a soloist, I have performed several piano works of many of the great classical composers ranging from Beethoven piano sonatas, Bach prelude and fugues to Chopin nocturnes, Brahms intermezzos, and many, many others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard

Each comes with their own set of creative challenges and goals, and helping them move to a place of satisfaction and joy in music has been the most meaningful kind of work. When I began to learn music as a child, I had no idea how much joy it would bring me, and the musical community I would gain, or the anchor this pursuit would be for me through the difficult seasons that would arise in my life. Read More