Piano Lessons in Manhattan Beach, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I am a singer/songwriter and pianist who loves sharing the gift of music with teenage and adult students. I have been teaching piano, voice and coaching songwriters since 1998. I have had the privilege of working with people of all ages, from different cultures and backgrounds, both as a performing/recording artist and as a music instructor. I started teaching in Vienna, Austria, and continued after I moved to Los Angeles in 2004. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My Methods: Fundamentals of breath work - incorporating several physical exercises and methods of showing the coordination until it is ingrained Focus on the use of the resonators - projecting the sound to the different cavities where sound resonates before leaving your body and into the room (i.e. 'the mask', mouth resonance, chest resonance, etc) Reducing tongue tension - a common issue is root of the tongue tension and I have several exercises to address this Improving range - most of my students gain notes in their belt range and their head range, and often in their low range as well Increasing the legato vocal line - here we focus on linking the vowels properly supported by the breath Jaw tension - similar to tongue we have evercises for this Style - different approaches such as riffing, back phrasing, using a glottal attack, using a breathy attack - creating colorful expressive phrases that link to the emotion of the song and the style desired Musicality - learning to read music, counting tempo, sustaining pitch, syncopation, dynamics, etc Diction - correct vowel shapes and enunciation + awareness of when tension closes down the vocal line if diction is carried over from speaking habits Performance - using tools from acting training to perform a song effectively and believably Career consultation - when appropriate, also offered Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Music Acoustic Guitar

The best award for the teacher is seeing his student develops his own talent. And I'm sure that every one is talented and the only question is how it talent will be enriched and developed. I encourage my student being their true self in performing, feeding from traditional and modern sources but keeping his own unique voice or playing style, accomplishing his personal goals, without comparing his own dynamics and results with other people, but working on becoming better than himself every day of learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Music Keyboard

To love music is to love life. To teach music is to give life and to play music is to share life with others. I was fortunate to receive the gift of music at an early age and my passion is to share this gift with others. I will provide a learning environment that is professional and nurturing with the highest artistic standards. Regardless of your level, experience, or goals my mission is to help all of my students achieve success in music for a lifetime. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I use a variety of methods and tries to match the method to the personality of the student.  Some of my favorite beginning methods are Faber & Faber, the Music Tree and Bastien. I try to get the student into actual repertoire as quickly as possible and like to use familiar folk tunes as a gateway to more traditional classical music. I try to assess what type of music the student listens to and find pieces that they enjoy and will be motivated to practice. 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 Drums

My teaching experience dates back to when I was a student at the Los Angeles High School for the Arts. While pursuing my own education I also had five private drum students ranging from the ages of 7-15. I am fortunate enough to have learned a great deal about teaching all different ages from my father, who has been a private guitar teacher for over 35 years. During my time at Berklee College of Music, I taught group clinics and while our tour with the Karen Lovely Band I mentored mentally handicapped music students in the Netherlands with a group called United By Music. Read More