Music Lessons in Seal Beach, CA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a hardworking and passionate instructor who loves teaching students of all ages! I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Interdisciplinary Music Studies. At Berklee I focused on Guitar, Songwriting and Composition, Film Scoring, Music Theory, and Music Business. Guitar has been my biggest passion since day one. I love performing live and writing my own music. My songs have been featured on 95.5 KLOS and I was recently interviewed by Nikki Sixx on his radio show: Sixx Sense. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have been teaching since I graduated from college. I have taught indiviudal lessons as well as large groups at performing arts camps. One thing I really strive to maintain is the student's motivation! I figure out where the student's interests remain and hone in so as to keep the lessons refreshing. Read More

Instruments: Voice

My approach to singing comes from the Bel Canto school of singing. Bel Canto is Italian for beautiful singing and while I was trained this way, I believe in meeting students at their vocal level and build from there. I dont subscribe to the one size fits all method because we all perceive our voices very differently. Throughout my university years, I had some teachers who got frustrated when they instructed me to sing a certain way that I could not understand and I never want my students to be confused or feel misunderstood during our lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Although encouraging students to experience and develop critical thinking is a complex challenge, it is still possible and essential. During guitar ensemble classes, the connection between a basic theoretical foundation and classical guitar technique is required in order to shape the understanding of playing a nylon string guitar with proper form. Therefore, flexibility is necessary for a teacher who is dealing with individual students or ensembles. In other words, teachers must adapt to given conditions and unpredictable situations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a musician and comedian, passionate about teaching the next batch of artists to be creative and daring in their art. I love helping students learn new skills as well as introducing them to new music in order to help them cultivate their personal style and artistic voice. When I was first learning guitar, I was frustrated about not knowing how to take the ideas in my head and convey them through my guitar. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like my students to build skills that musicians possess and in order to do this I incorporate a lot my own creativity into my teaching. I base most of my teaching on Hal Leonard's Guitar Method, and I combine this with technical exercises I create according to the need of each student. My lessons are focused on gaining an understanding on how to be functional in guitar playing while also enjoying it. Read More