Piano Lessons in Highland Park, CA

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

The development of the basic skills that are required to lay a foundation for playing the piano is an essential part of teaching. Because repetition, listening to music, and practice can be challenging for some students, I try to incorporate modern music or songs that students like to practice the fundamentals. Since teaching beginners/intermediate, and children/adults require different methods, I first assess abilities and potential, as well as learn about what a student's goals are for learning piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

I have over 30 years of teaching and professional experience. Piano is my first instrument, but I also have a degree in percussion. For piano: I have studied with Charlie Banacos, a music master from the New England area for 11 years. For percussion: I have studied with Vic Firth, timpanist of the Boston Symphony and also Alan Dawson, jazz drummer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

I believe creativity and passion are the most important things that a teacher could help build for their students. Personally, I do not like to push my students too hard because I believe it is important to keep young kids being interested in the instrument, instead of being pushed to practice and quickly losing their patience. Practicing everyday is essential, yet I think as long as young kids practice a certain amount of time in total for one day, that would be find. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I like to always start off by having the student play the piece that we've been working on for the past few weeks to check on his/her progress and to address any needs or changes we need to make. I also work with the student on his/her scales and building the foundation needed to play more technically challenging pieces. I find it very important to work on technique as many players nowadays often struggle with more difficult pieces and do not execute certain sections as smoothly due to a lack of attention during his/her early stages in building up the foundation and technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginner piano students I use Alfred's books, which has different beginner levels for different ages. At first I perform my first lesson, where I decide which beginner book will much with the student, then I recommend an appropriate book for them. I also don't mind at all another company of books if they prefer so. For beginner violin students I recommend String builder or Essential elements books. They both are good skill building books. Read More