Piano Lessons in Blackhawk, CA

Instruments: Piano

I've loved playing piano since I was 4 years old, and I love to share music with others. I have a classical background, and a particular interest in contemporary music and extended techniques. I studied and performed piano at Colorado College, and as a graduate student at Mills College. I've had the opportunity to tour the world with the Bowed Piano Ensemble, an ensemble that focuses on extended piano techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I have been teaching privately since undergraduate college days. In addition to private lessons on guitar and piano, I have facilitated group workshops, directed ensembles, and tutored reading comprehension in some Oakland public schools. It's a profound joy to see young children have their first musical experiences as well as to see the fire of music be rekindled in those who have put an instrument down and have decided to pick it up once again. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I am a musician and an artist; my heart sings when music plays and I love nothing more in life than spreading the joy that music brings. In 2015, I graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Flute Performance and a minor in Cultural Anthropology. I spent the following 5 years traveling through Europe (for flute), Trinidad & Tobago (for steel pan), and Cuba (for congas and flute). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Ukulele

I like to emphasize fundamentals, especially if a student is just beginning. I believe a strong foundation makes it easier as they progress. For all instruments I always have my students prepare both technical exercises and solo material. I always emphasize historical context to bring the music to life. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar

For piano students: I love to get my students started with the fundamentals of music through hands-on experience with the piano. I want them to explore the instrument and get creative from the get-go! I also want them to understand that: - creating music is fun and easy - music can tell stories - music is more than pushing down keysit is art, which involves dynamics, speed, feeling, etc. - music is made up of chords, patterns and melodies - music can be transposed into different keys At the first lesson, I show my students how to sit properly at the piano and use their arms, wrists and fingers correctly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I always encourage my students to progress at their own pace and have fun while doing it. Not everyone improves and learns at different paces and I make sure to emphasize that with my students and when possible with their parents. I personally think that seeing a student reach a new goal is an important part of my job and it makes it all worth it in the end. I like to use positive reinforcement with my students to help them reach their goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For beginner students who are pursing music on the tonal instruments, I typically start with learning the names of the notes on the instrument and the major scale in every key as it relates to the piano. For the bass guitar I start of with basic finger strength techniques and exercises while incorporating the major scale fingering form and Nashville numbering system for all tonal instruments. For voice, I start off by finding the range of the individual and then teaching warmup techniques while building the individuals technique through finding a song and learning how to sing along.  Read More