Music Lessons in San Quentin, CA

Instruments: Drums

I am a 36 year old Egyptian from Cairo currently living in Oakland, CA. I started drumming at age 12, influenced by my older brother who introduced me to music at an early age. My earliest influence was rock music (classic rock, progressive rock and some metal). My life changed after discovering Miles Davis and my love for jazz. It changed again when I discovered IDM electronic music and came to the realization that good music is good music and quickly embraced all genres and styles, with the belief that in order to be a successful professional drummer, one must be open to all and learn as much styles as one can. Read More

Instruments: Piano

With over 10 years of teaching experience, I am a professional and pssionate piano teacher who firmly believe in cultivating a civilized, well-rounded mind through music education. Besides my own private studio, I have also taught in numerous music schools including Kids' N Keyboard Music Center (CA), Cherry Kids' Children Center (CA), Northern California School of Music (CA), Perrysbury Music Center (OH), Ip Piano School (MA), and Mozart Academy of Music (MA). Read More

Instruments: Voice

As a voice teacher, Elizabeth prides herself on building healthy voices and confident individuals. She has had success with children and adult students, as well as students of diverse musical backgrounds. Her students have pursued music careers and gone on to university programs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I can accompany the student with the guitar or piano. For beginners in piano, I will typically begin with the Faber workbook. If they have their own workbook that they would like to work from, I will work with that. I teach Circle of Fifths as an early tool to cultivate an understanding of harmonic language, and make it as simple and easy as possible, until the basics become engrained. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I try my very best to avoid criticism, encourage curiosity, and open doors at every lesson. Constant criticism can put a permanent damper on a student's love of music. Exploration can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment! In the Photo Gallery above, the first pic is of David, age 6-1/2, playing organ for the first time. He has been watching me play during a church service, so I offered to show him a few things. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students who are children (or for students who are looking for a more traditional curriculum involving reading standard notation), I typically begin with Hal Leonard's Guitar Method books to develop a foundation and familiarity with reading notes and handling the instrument with correct posture and technique. For students who simply want to play the music they enjoy and prefer using tab over standard notation, I like to jump right in by learning first-position chords, which is usually followed by common finger-picking patterns/strumming patterns, and playing songs of the student's preference. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

I was born with an "educator" mindset, and began teaching early on in my personal music studies. I began teaching about 10 years ago, in 2010, after getting into my undergraduate studies for music performance. I have taught all levels and in many different settings: To-date I have taught ages 6 through 65. I have taught in formal school system classrooms, private music studios, community centers and at a student's home. Everyone has a unique gift in music and I focus on honing this gift and letting it shine through. Read More