Music Lessons in Whittier Heights, WA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I started teaching privately as a student at Pacific Lutheran University. I taught a steady 4 students, while also doing coaching for the theater department when musical season came along. I have been sightreading music once before I could read English, and I am well-versed is several different sets of training booklets for piano. One of the only ways to learn music, is to have fun while doing it. I like to think my sense of humor can help dissolve tough lessons. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

Most of my students have never played drums before studying with me. With beginners I believe it's most important to learn a good technique for striking the drums as well as introducing the student to fundamental rhythms and musical practices. Many students want to learn to jam immediately and that's great. I suggest learning some basic reading as well as playing by memory and improvising. It is also fun and beneficial for beginners or advanced players to play drums to recorded music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

I use Samuel Applebaum's String Builderbooks 1 and 2 as my beginning texts and his Scales for Strings, Early Etudes, and First Position Etudes (especially for viola) before moving into First Etudes by Whistler/Hummel for violin and then the Wohlfahrt/Aiquoni Foundation Studies, books 1 and 2, Mazas, and advanced etudes such as Kreutzer and Campagnoli for both violin and viola. Beginners useConcertTunesbooks 1 and 2 by Dale Brubaker for first (immediate) solosthat reinforce note reading and other instruction. Read More

Instruments: Voice

There is no point in learning what to do if you don't know why you are doing it, so teaching "the why" of every exercise is very important to me. The idea is to eventually teach myself out of a job! While I provide a general syllabus to each student, I prefer to customize my lesson plans to the individual, first finding out what their goals are and then deciding what will help us achieve them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Music Keyboard

I have a friendly and laid back teaching style, maintaining student/teacher professionalism. How much or how fast the student learns depends a lot on how much they practice. For younger students I use stickers as rewards to help motivate them. I adapt to the student when it comes to the style of music we play or sing. Occasionally we may play or sing duets. I let voice students choose which songs they want to sing. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Shakuhachi Conga

I have been a martial arts instructor and basketball/baseball coach for many years.Working with younger people has given me the skills to be an understanding and compassionate music instructor.i approach every student as an individual with different goals and needs.My teaching system is to approach every new student as an unique individual.I am very comfortable with teaching the foundations of music as well teaching how to improvise and solo, especially in the jazz context.I have had my own teaching practice for over 20 years with ages 6-80 years old. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Each student has a unique physical, mental, creative andcognitive makeup, and I recommend solutions to them whichI consider good investments in healthy and versatile technique. I value your time. We do not always have the time to practice a great deal, but if I can help you do something valuable with that time, thats what I strive for. I want you to leave every lesson either with more experience or knowledge you wont forget. Read More