Music Lessons in Tamalpais Valley, CA

Instruments: Cello

I am the cello professor at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, but enjoy a teaching studio in and around Palo Alto. I began teaching in 2015, and have taught over a hundred cellists in-person and online. As a lover of chamber music, I teach Cello Ensemble and Chamber Music at Cal Poly, and also coach ensembles locally. I enjoy teaching a wide range of ages and skill levels, but particularly enjoy adult students and high level high school that are interested in double majoring or minoring in music in college. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

Having been a performer for many years, I realized at one point that my experience and skills could be of use to people who themselves were interested in developing their own passion for music... And so, shortly after my graduate studies, I began teaching ...There is nothing as exciting or rewarding as focusing one's personal passion and using that energy to awaken in another person their own passion for the interest which you share... Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard

A few years down the road I started playing trumpet in the beginning band at my school under the tutelage of who, to this very day, I believe was the best youth band director to ever hold a baton. Since then I have had many teachers who have shaped my life many different ways. They spent the time to grow and cultivate my skills and talent, teach me musician's etiquette, and give me “the tools of the trade”. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

I begain teaching as a band assistant in college. I would lead sectionals and work with students who where struggiling one on one. As I gained experiance my role and responsibly grew and I began to run rehearsals and plan for concerts. One aspect of lessons that I emphasise is musicality. Often I will ask my students to listen to the song that they are working on or watch the movie or tv show it comes from because it is important to hear and see the bigger picture. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My goal is not to make my students play like me but to play more like themselves. I aim to give useful tips, exercises, and musical options as opposed to rigid rules. The beauty of playing is in the nuances that an individual can bring to a performance, so I try to let that individuality shine. I encourage this freedom more specifically through a strong technical foundation. The more secure a player's technique becomes the easier it becomes to express their ideas. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My method is to incorporate proper technique and fingering, and though reading music is important, i also put emphasis on hearing what your playing and also understanding it theoretically. This way students will be well-rounded and be able to understand what they are playing from an audio and theoretical stance, rather than just being told what to play by the notes on the sheet music. What this does is it allows the student to become independent so that they don't have to rely on music and a teacher to be able to play or pick-up songs they desire to play. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I first began taking private students in the 1990s, and continued to teach privately through my undergraduate years in the early 2000s. Though I stopped for some time to pursue artistic and professional ventures in music, I recently returned to the teaching realm, and am exciting to take on new students. In addition to private brass lessons, I have taught music in public schools through various non-profits and, above all, enjoy the light that comes on in a student's eyes when he/she "gets it." It is why I do what I do. Read More