Piano Lessons in Meridian, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I try to find a balance between being laid-back and offering my students enough structure so that they can develop at an appropriate pace. While encouraging my students to find ways to express themselves, I also try to be realistic with them about the importance of musicianship and technique. Empathy is the most important thing for me, as I try to help and nurture my students to explore their own musical talents. Read More

Instruments: Piano Accordion Mandolin Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Music is emotional art and I like to explain it how it easy if you know basic knowledge. For me it's important making good progress in small think of student work. These new small developments are required to be accomplished during my lessons. My style is more practice then explaining. I try to show emotion in music rather than just playing simple notes. My style of teaching is not directly one ways for all students,I have to change it always when I can see that some are wrong,or don't works well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I teach traditional music theory and sight reading focusing on reading music and learning musical vocabulary and symbols. My students will learn the fundamentals while also exploring different musical genres, ranging from the classics like Beethoven and Mozart to modern idioms like jazz, pop music, and even musical theater standards. In addition learning repertoire from a wide range of styles, my students also learn the fundamentals of music theory, from rhythm, basic harmony, and intervalic reading to more advanced harmonic and structural analysis. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

Throughout the past 17 years I have been both a student and ambassador of music. Whether it has been explaining and showing chords or scales to another student, or describing the inner workings and wonder of a guitar solo with a friend - seeking to create and teach music will always be at the forefront of all that I do. To me, the first and most important thing for learning music is that you have to play something you enjoy and find fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

No matter the skill level, I like to keep my curriculum concise, applicable, and easy for all students to understand. I begin with a crash course in music fundamentals to give students a classical understanding of their playing, reading, and writing techniques. Next, I teach them scales, chords, and playing techniques that correlate with their level of playing and music comprehension. Once they have mastered said curriculum I teach them songs that they are genuinely interested in. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I have also received commissions and grants from soloists, ensembles, and arts organizations in several U.S. states. Some of my pieces have been published by music publishing companies or have been broadcast on the radio (including WFMT's Relevant Tones). I played principal flute in the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for four years, and I appeared as a flute soloist in several orchestral and choral concerts on campus as well. Read More