Piano Lessons in La Canada, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar

After graduating from the one year course at Musician's Institute I attended CSUN and studied with concert pianists Jacob Gimple, and Charles Fierro, earning my degree in Composition/Piano. While in school friends and family asked me to teach them, and I found I had a special talent to teach. I joined the Music Teacher's Association of California and within a year had more students than I had time for. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

I stress the basics: scales, arpeggios and chords for piano and scales and double stops for violin. In regard to the piano, I have students practice each hand alone before combining them. Generally two pieces are assigned for students to work on and that work is continued for several weeks. I emphasize sight reading and rhythm. These are two aspects of music that are difficult for many. In regard to reading, the names and purposes of the various signs and symbols must be learned. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Keyboard

I have been teaching for the past 17 years.  I enjoy the challenge of meeting each student's needs and creating an individual teaching plan to help students achieve their goals. I have had the opportunity to work with preschool through undergraduate students. My experience as a high school chorus teacher, Teaching Artist with the Washington National Opera, guest vocalist for the Ghanian ambassador, and part-time professor have bolster my ambition to bring music to students "where they are". Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Piano or Guitar Lessons for the Young Beginner by Andrew Scott and Gary Turner. The student, even at a young age, learns an introduction to music theory. Each concept is taught in a very methodical and step-by-step approach. As a teacher, I am looking to prepare students for ongoing learning for years to come. The language of music can be very confusing and I am looking for ways to minimize those perplexing times. 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 Voice

I sing live on a weekly basis and provide direction for the vocalists in my band, having done so for a total of 12+ years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Additionally, some other books that I use with my drum set students are Syncopation by Ted Reed, The Art of Bop by John Riley, The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion, and The Essence of Brazillian Percussion by Ed Uribe. For more advanced students, I work on trancriptions of their favorite drummers, chart reading by playing with recordings or live musicians, improvisation over musical forms, and developing indivdual exercises for each student. Read More