Piano Lessons in Graton, CA

Instruments: Piano

I have started piano students off with Piano Adventures Primer Lessons and Theory, and have taught adults using the Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course. I do have students learning from John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers How to Play method (moves more quickly than Piano Adventures), and have a Blues Piano student learning from various sources including How to Play Boogie Woogie (Hal Leonard/Wise). I teach beginning guitar using the Hal Leonard Guitar Method, also Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method, and Mel Bay's Fun With Strums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Stiffness is the enemy of piano playing and it can also cause harm to tendons, ligaments, etc.... I always give exercises to illustrate the different "touches" (finger dexterity, legato, staccato, singing-tone, octaves, etc...) used in playing the piano. It is also very important to have a good sense of musical style - baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc... I focus on being as true as possible in honoring what I believe to be the wishes of the composer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Synthesizer Keyboard

I was born in the U.S.A. from a Chilean marriage. I began my musical journey at the age of 12 next to a vertical Piano at my parent's house. At the age of 16, I learned how to play rhythms on my younger brothers (Fernando) toy drum kit, and later got a real drum set and began my first band "Insigne" (Progressive Rock) as a drummer. I studied Composition and Musical Arrangements at Escuela Moderna Institute of Chile (2002-2008). Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

I have been given so many opportunities to teach students of various ages. I was an assistant instructor for San Jose State's Summer Flute Institute, which involved giving private lessons, teaching beginner-level flute classes, coaching an intermediate chamber group, and judging a advanced-level performance competition. I've also had the chance to travel to Tijuana, Mexico as an assistant instructor for a summer Festival called Opera de Tijuana's Opera en la Calle. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The most rewarding thing for me in teaching is learning how to create with my student. Finding the best tools for growth with the student and accessing them is the crucial component to how I teach. Gaining trust, confidence, and joy in lessons produces the highest and most sustainable growth and development of the technique, sound, and musicality of the growing musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For voice, I will typically start with technique and breath. The first lesson is heavy in feeling the anatomy of the body to cultivate a coordinated breath for the most optimal and healthy singing. From there, we move into warm-ups, and will adjust vowels to find resonant spaces. Generally, with the voice, after the initial work with anatomy there is an improvisatory style of teaching that I develop, catered to the individual. Read More