Music Lessons in Palo Alto, CA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style flows from my teaching philosophy: Whole-heatedly meet a student where they are, and THEN, respectfully lead them to where you as the educator know that they need to go...Establishing a true RELATIONSHIP with a student, where they know that you have THEIR best interests in mind is absolutely fundamental. As in any relationship, trust and respect are essential, and establishing a firm foundation in those areas should be just as important as the academic and skill development aspects of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I like to ground my teaching in a line my own teacher, Carey Bell, often told me-- "if you make a mistake, no one dies!" Music is a challenging discipline in every respect, so I encourage my students to approach it from as positive and joyful a place as possible where mistakes are not a failure but simply a sign that further work needs to be done. Achievement in performance is only rewarding when the student takes ownership of their playing, so I do everything I can to allow clarinet to be a real and positive presence in my students' lives. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I began teaching in high school. Immediately after college, my studio grew to include 25 students. Included in the mix, some students were as young as 8 and several were adult beginners. Intermediate and advanced students also studied with me, as well as adults who were "re-beginners." (The term refers to adults who took lessons in childhood and have picked up their instrument again years later.) During graduate school, my assistantship included teaching piano classes comprised of students majoring in voice or music education. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I have performed roles in Postcard from Morocco and Orpheus in the Underworld with the SJSU Opera Theater. My solo works include the Fauré and Brahms Requiem, both with San Jose Staté University. In the summer of 2015, I appeared with the Symphony Silicon Valley in R.V. William’s Serenade to Music and in 2016 I performed Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Ireland Limerick Sinfonia. Most recently I joined Peninsula Cantare as a soloist in the Carmina Burana and Mozart Vespers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

'm here to motivate and inspire. There is no one right approach to learning music and I'm adept at understanding how each individual learns. I can help to formulate and achieve goals or simply offer an expressive outlet that is safe, enlightening and encouraging. I offer mentorship and help with choices, in a professional or recreational capacity, within the music and entertainment fields. I facilitate the most enjoyable approach to practice so my students develop skills, confidence and a love of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I started teaching my Sophomore Year while studying music in college and have loved it ever since. I enjoy finding out how my teaching methods can fit with one's personality and watching people grow throughout the years. I have kept students consistently for 2 years and each student is different and unique. Some of my students are doing certificate programs like ABRSM, while others are singing and playing piano simultaneously. Some of my students learn by ear and others are sight readers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For absolute beginners, I like to take some time in the beginning to teach the fundamentals of music which will allow for students to more easily learn songs of their choice while studying which me, and after they have studied with me. For beginners, I use handwritten tablature, online tablature, and Hal Leonard Instructional Books. For those interested in classical guitar, I use selected pieces from the Christopher Parkening Method Books. Read More