Music Lessons in Rutherford, CA

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: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is tailored to however the student learns best. I am very adaptive to the student's focus and will constantly check to see if the current topic we're going over makes sense or if they'd like to move on to something else. I also believe that positive reinforcement is very important and that one should always think positively about every accomplishment big or small. My philosophy is that you are only competing against yourself and that if you are better than you were yesterday, then it is a success. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

I learned my fundamentals as a musician from my musician mother who is a vocalist and childhood piano teachers she set me up with from ages 4-12. At the age of 12, I picked up the trombone in the school instrumental program. I continued to play in school bands throughout my education and in high school, I was set up with a private trombone instructor. Throughout high school and college Ive studied with professional trombonists: Don Kennelly - SF Opera Bass Trombone, Dave Martell, David Taylor - New York, and Doug Beavers and John Gove. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As said above, number one in my mind is meet the student where they are. I want to find a way to be not only a teacher for a student, but a way to be a mentor. Students spend years with teachers and they can very quickly become such an important component and role model. If there's a single thing I want my students to learn, is to love music. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

My biggest hope for my students is that they come away from lessons with a love for music. Every student is a unique player with their own pace, set of hurdles, focus, and interests, and I am committed to tailoring my teaching approach to each individual student. It is important to me that each student progresses at a realistic pace for themselves, tries their best, and has fun with the music they are learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

We will start from a variety of exercises from the book Stick Control working the hands and feet. Then a variety of beginner drum set books from Chet Deboe to work the 3 and 4 limb independence . I work from a variety of drum books depending on the student and their goals as a player. My goal with every student I teach is to be in any musical situation be it jazz, rock, or show tunes and be able to play confidently. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching in both private studio and public schools since 2012 from K-12, high schools and college levels. I like sharing my passion for music to students that are willing to learn and enjoy the same love for music. I am currently teaching at San Francisco State University as a Assistant Professor in the Music department for both Undergrad and Graduate levels in Viola (soloists) and Chamber Music as well as private students at my own studio. Read More