Music Lessons in Vallejo, CA

Instruments: Flute

I first picked up a Yamaha flute at my public school in the 5th grade and it changed my life. I traversed conflict-countries carrying only my flute, I was welcomed to cities and performed alongside renowned musicians in places like Havana, Seattle, Ramallah and Beijing. Then, I picked up the pen in college, graduate school, and law school to learn how to organize, operate, and help fund artist-educators share this gift and language with the youth. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

Hello! I am a Colombian-American composer and flutist from the San Francisco Bay Area with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from San Jose State University. I have been working as a freelance musician for about 5 years. As a performer, I play just about anything and enjoy challenging myself with new repertoire, I particularly like playing Romantic or Modern music! I've had so many opportunities to perform with various chamber groups through an organization called Chamber Music Silicon Valley, and have traveled to many places in California and outside of the United States to perform and teach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

I have been teaching since High School, but it wasn't until my first year of college that I started teaching music. After 6+ years of teaching in my home studios in both Austin and San Antonio, I enjoy a variety of students learning violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, and even certain music software. My greatest lesson in teaching is that no two students are alike; one student may be more traditional and focused and have no problem learning to read music, for example, while another student may have little to no attention span, making it impossible to learn consistently. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar

I always begin with an informal conversation to get to know your interests and music goals are. Depending on the instrument and objective, I might follow traditional curriculum, such as Hal Leonard or Alfred Music. In reality, every student has a different way to approach the music. My job as a teacher is finding out what makes you tick, and use that to cultivate your passion and develop a study practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

My approach to teaching supports the student in meeting their goals on the instrument, with an emphasis on playing with your best sound. Additionally, the mind is the most powerful tool that any of us have and the instrument is an extension of that. Helping students reach their potential by matching the greatest sound they can imagine to what is produced on the horn. Students will also be exposed to all standard trombone method books, study fundamentals, form healthy habits, learn instrument care, and be encouraged to participate in competitions and extracurricular music activities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

He has also studied voice with Jane Sharp and piano with Ellen Wasserman.  Jake has been teaching music since 2001. He was Music Program Director at Mission Hills Middle School, in Union City, for 3 years. He was also the guitar and percussion teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. Jake has also been a music instructor with COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. Over the years he has performed with musicians such as Josh Jones, Michael Aaberg, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusere, Jonathan Finlayson, Geoff Brennan, and Ray Brown. Read More