Piano Lessons in La Tijera, CA

Instruments: Piano

I customize lessons for each student because of different levels, goals, and tastes. For children, I usually start with a beginning method book such as Alfreds or Bastien. I introduce the fundamentals and work at the speed of the student, encouraging daily practice. I like to keep my lessons upbeat and fun so I always incorporate pieces that are recognizable to the student. If a student has a favorite tune from an artist, band, or a movie I will find them an arrangement that best suits their level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

Most students were sometimes getting good but sometimes they have a hard time playing with difficult notes that I teach. Some students were getting good on the beginning methods and understanding what the music book is going to read and learn about. I encourage the students to practice the beginning methods seriously for about 30 minutes. If the student is getting a little hard, she can take a break for 10 minutes and go back to the homework. Read More

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

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

My teaching experience began as a college student. I taught privately and later after getting my certification with the state of California I taught for 10 years as an instrumental music instructor with the Clovis Unified School District near Fresno. After that I moved to Los Angeles and taught for 14 years in that capacity with the South Whittier Schools. I am familiar with a variety of musical styles and like to vary my instruction to both classical and mariachi as well as others listed above. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Ukulele

For beginners, I firmly believe in establishing strong fundamentals. However, you can't spell fundamentals with out "fun"! So, even while building fundamentals, music lessons should be fun and geared toward what the student wants out of all of this. Whether that's learning a specific song, style, cool musically visual trick, or just jamming, I'm here for it all! Musical journeys are specific to the individual and therefore there is no one path that all students must follow. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe

I truly believe that all learning, while serious in nature, should be fun and exciting in methodology. Living in the age of technology, there are so many ways to make learning fun and interesting for students. Whether it be sharing information from Youtube, educational sites such as The Teaching Channel, using digital music apps such as "Smart Music" for assessment, showing a student how to record themselves on their smartphones, all of these things can be brought in to the instructional experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

My teaching style differs from student to student. With the younger students, it's all about fun. The goal is to make playing music less of a chore, and instead, have it be something they enjoy just as much as playing video games or soccer. For the adult students, and students interested in playing music professionally, I tend to give them more material at a much quick rate. Read More