Piano Lessons in Llano, CA

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 Violin

I always make sure my students and their parents have realistic expectations when they start taking music lessons. For instance, violin is a difficult instrument to play and it can take months of practice to play a simple tune. However, it can be fun and enjoyable as long as it is understood that these simple accomplishments in playing the violin are in fact rather big ones. I request the parents of young (5-7 years old) students to be present during the lesson as often as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Though there are many different ways to teach, I will gravitate more towards my preferred learning style which is through discovery and analysis. I enjoy finding different ways to tackle one specific task and I enjoy taking part in that journey with my students. Those moments when their eyes light up when they realize a whole new dimension of possibilities just opened up for them because they found a new piece to the puzzle. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

For students earlier in their journeys, I do believe a practical understanding of music and basic theory is fundamental to unlock both the art and the science of performing. After warm up exercises that help acquire the vocabulary and sonic principles of agile musicianship, I would immediately dive into material that the student finds engaging and personal! I am an advocate for storytelling in the arts first, with mechanical technique and instruction used as vehicles to empower the pure love of expression! Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Functional Piano: This is a GREAT method of learning to play the piano without having to take years of formal piano lessons. If you just want to play your favorite melodies and harmonies then " functional piano." is for you. This is an EXCELLENT approach for eitherAdults/ Laymen/novie vocalist/songwrithers/instrumentalist who either want to explore and or create new harmonies and melodies. Topics include 1) Basic chord identification by sound. 2) Understanding chord symbols. 3) How to intrepret a lead sheet. 4) Basic diatonic concepts. 5) Modification of a chord progression. 6) Exchanging chords of similar functions. 7) Voice leading techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Ukulele Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing the guitar for well over 30 years performing and touring extensively throughout all years. I am a founding member of Triada Guitar Trio and Four of a Kind Guitar Quartet. With these groups, I have performed at well over 800 concerts throughout Europe and the United States. I have played guitar concertos with prominent Symphony Orchestras such as the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, South Coast Symphony, and Huntington Symphony of West Virginia. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Banjo

I began teaching piano in high school and continued into my college years. I then spent the next decade touring in bands and recording in some of the top studios in Los Angeles. I have worked with some of the best in the business including Rick Rubin, John Shanks, and Jason Falkner, just to name a few. These experiences have given me the knowledge of being a musician in the real world, which I try and impart to my students. Read More