Music Lessons in Polaris, CA

Instruments: Voice

I tailor my lessons to the student and their goals. I pull my methods and practices from experience and A Spectrum of Voices by Elizabeth Blades-Zeller. I also like to teach my students basic music theory to give them a better understanding of how music is structured and to deepen their overall musicianship. For that, I pull from Music in Theory and Practice Volume 1 by Bruce Benward and Marilyn Saker. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music Instruction Expertise in teaching modern guitar performance, music technology, songwriting, audio engineering, and music production. Music Instruction Employers 2007-present Takelessons.com (Shingle Springs, CA) Community School of Music and Arts (Menlo Park, CA) Sierra Music Academy (Rocklin, CA) Newton Center (Foster City, CA) DJ Buddy Holly DJ Buddy Holly is a company I began in 2009 as a sole proprietorship. The company focuses on DJing at parties, clubs, and corporate events. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Fiddle French Horn Electric Guitar

For beginning students, I try to figure out what if any familiarity with the instrument or connected genres the student already has and plan to orient lessons around that. If they're absolute beginners with no specific interests yet, as is often the case with children, I focus on teaching fundamentals of the instrument's technique, music theory relevant to reading sheet music and understanding scales, keys, and time signatures. If it seems like it would help I'd move on to the Suzuki method or at least to simple songs and etudes. 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

My teaching style is very flexible. I am able to teach classical, as well as many different musical genres. I am able to arrange piano songs to the student's level and write down the scores from the songs. My ultimate purpose of teaching piano is to make my students ENJOY their performances. However, the key factor in improving piano skills is hard practice. Making sure their children keep practicing is always challenging for parents and teachers, but please remember that everyday practice is required if you would like to progress your piano performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I always use variety of method books depending on the capability of each student in grasping the instructions. I have a syllabus that I am following base on the Music Teacher's Association syllabus in preparation for a Certificate of Merrit examination. And for those younger students that are not ready yet in taking the Statewide Music examination, a Royal School of Music syllabus is what I am using in order for our studies to be on track. Read More