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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Downey . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe
I began teaching at the Xavier University Junior School of Music (Louisiana) at the age of 18. My teaching experience now spans 30 years. While most of my teaching, over the years, has been primarily private, I also have several years of classroom teaching experience. I enjoy teaching music because I believe that it is one of the most endearing methods of sharing information. One of my motto's is that I am an educator first, music is simply the vehicle by which I choose to educate. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I encourage a growth mindset by showing students that mistakes are an essential part of learning. Effort and progress are celebrated with genuine enthusiasm, reinforcing the idea that success is a journey, not just a destination. To make learning engaging, I incorporate humor, clever jokes, and metaphors that bring musical concepts to life. By using vivid associations and connecting music to stories and real-world experiences, I help students grasp the deeper meaning behind the notes. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I have been teaching piano for more than 25 years and my students have been prize winners in local competitions and festivals as performers and composers. Former students have gone on to attend universities such as Cornell, Columbia, Brown and other well known colleges. I am an experienced church organist and accompanist for vocal and instrumental soloists as well as choirs. I am an experienced chamber musician and am the founder and pianist of the Papillons Piano Trio which performs locally. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
Meeting my students where they are at and focusing on their individual needs is the most important thing. And taking away pressure. Learning how to sing is a journey you embark upon. Singing is a joyfull, fun way to grow as a person and as an artist. It takes concentration and focus, though and a willingness to try out new things and very importantly: patience with oneself. I find, especially young adults can gain so much confidence by singing and by making music in general. Read More
Instruments: Piano Flute Music Keyboard
Students begin writing their music and improvising with popular music. Practice expectation is 20-30 minutes per day, 5-6 days per week. Student music requests are encouraged. YEARS 4-6: EARLY INTERMEDIATE LEVEL This is when students start to flourish! Students have a solid skill set that includes literacy, technique, improvising, composing, and performing. They have 20+ performance experiences under their belts around this time! More student input is encouraged during this time and requests are encouraged. Read More
Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga
For young students who have never played before they are introduced to a fun and easy book called Hal Leonard's Drum Set Method. After a quick assessment I apply some adjustments to there playing and quickly assign some fun homework. Simply and effective for their style of playing. For adults, I asked them to play for me a few bars and drum patterns. I check their ability to read, improvise and how strong their "pocket "is. (i.e. 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: Piano Guitar Saxophone Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My dad plays guitar and piano. He used to play loudly on Sunday mornings to wake us up. My sisters both know how to play piano, and my brother plays piano and trumpet. My brother and I were in marching band together during high school, and we were section leaders of our respective instrument groups.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I suppose it was more gradual. I always loved music and being a musician, but I always was told that there is no way to make money with music. I thought about different career paths and struggled between something I love and something I can do but am not passionate about. I ultimately chose the former since I realized that life is short and should be spent doing what you love. It was the best decision I ever made.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
My second instrument was guitar. Besides the "cool" factor of playing a guitar, my brother received one for his birthday and never used it, so it was given to me. I struggled for a long time to learn the basics on my own, but once I got the hang of things, I loved being able to play and playing in a group. My third instrument was alto saxophone. Once again, besides being cool, my brother was in the marching band as well on trumpet, and I did not like the idea of him being my section leader, so I veered in the other direction. My fourth instrument was violin, but I am still a novice and I haven't performed on it just yet. I just loved the way it sounds and I had a friend who was a great teacher to me.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
My favorite style is contemporary orchestral music. I think the power behind having so many instruments is a unique feeling and sound, and I love the idea of people coming together to accomplish that. There is nothing else quite like it.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would either be a scientist or an artist. They are polar opposite professions, but I enjoy both science and art almost equally, and I love learning about the universe and how it works. Art is a bit more selfish for me since I enjoy the process of creating in general and not necessarily to create something for others.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My degree is in media composition. I chose that path because I love listening to film and game scores that draw you in and give you chills. It adds so much to the story and visuals, and I knew I wanted that to be my career. However, I also love helping others get to their goals in music which is why I love teaching.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my performance with my high school marching band at the Hollywood Bowl. I don't think I grasped what a huge deal it was at the time, but I constantly talk about it and I still have the performer badge they gave me. To know I shared a venue with John Williams and the like is incredibly awesome.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I find sight reading to be the most challenging thing for piano because of how many notes can be played at the same time at a quick tempo. It takes a lot of time and dedication to be able to accomplish that.
When will I start to see results?
Everyone is different, but I would say you should notice a difference in skill by the end of the first month. Practice is essential to see any change.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I have always loved the way piano sounds and how versatile it is. I may be biased because my father and siblings can all play, and I grew up with access to a piano. It is undeniably the most popular and the best instrument to start with because you can see the relationship between the notes like a map.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Something is better than nothing! Sit down and play for 30 minutes or an hour every day, even if you're not practicing a specific piece. You are training your muscle memory to be comfortable with your instrument.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child is easily distracted or gets frustrated easily, it might be too early. It is also imperative that they know the alphabet and numbers as music uses these constantly.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Downey to students of all ages and abilities.
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