Piano Lessons in Norwalk, CA

Stacey D

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Music Keyboard

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was 5 years old watching the ED Sullivan Show. The Jackson 5 were singing " I wat you back." My creativity was ignited with a passion I didn't understand. My grandmother walked in and saw me twitching and gyrating trying to dance and sing along. I told her I wanted to get in the TV. She laughed uncontrollably and said Oh baby you can't get in that TV" I looked in her eyes and said with a hint of defiance, ,,,I'm getting in that TV" 20 years later i I was on Soul Train in the TV....me and my grandmother laughed about me in the TV for years to come.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Mom Dad and grand parents are not as musical as I am. My kids can sing but they are creative in other ways - more fie arts, My grand kids are another story - they inherited Nanas creative DNA - already have lead roles in Elementary school,

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
That's really a hard one. I love all types of artist and genres - from Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett Mary Mary, and Sly Stone - to Lady GaGa to Kendrick Lamar and Adel

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
3rd grade i sang Ben by Michael Jackson in a playground talent show - first time i heard people clap and shout! It was amazing! 4th grade sang in school choir for Christmas. Started playing piano and writing songs. 6th grade Clarinet 8th Drums

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Music is in my heart but i have other creative endeavors. I recently wrote produced and directed a sit com pilot. My dream is to see it become a hit TV series

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I tried to be a probation officer, but it didn't work- i tried to make my fellow officers into a singing group. I cant imagine that because i don't know anything else but creating - whether its for myself or for someone else.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I actually attended San Diego State University as a criminal justice major I took a music theory class but got kicked out for challenging my professor about chords. 20 years later I taught a mater workshop - and took my gold and multi platinum records for show and tell.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I do something creative every day - it's not what I do its who I am. I can play at a piano for 3 hours and loose myself, When I was writing songs in the studio we would be on lock out for 2 weeks at a time - working for 10 to 16 hours But it didn't seem like work...

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
It's really not hard if you love it. Once students become one with their creativity they love how it makes them feel practice becomes their best friend and performing is like getting gifts from Christmas.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I studies people who i admired. The Jackson 5 were my first observation singing harmonizing and performing. I didn't know how they were doing it, i just tried to emulate what I saw and what made me feel good.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Eric Seats became a producer for Aaliah, 702, and Destiny's Child and he is now the drummer for Pattie Labell Skyer Day songwriter did acting on disney Joelle James Got signed to Chris Brown - won a Grammy for song Booed up Anatalia Villaranda made it to the voice finals Olivia Rodrigo is an iconic artist won Grammy tours the world Anika is a songwriter for Kids Bop Pam Olivia was a background singer for Rod Stewart Shae Jones got signed to universal became a platinum songwriter

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
I recommend students practice according to their desired outcome. Beginners 3 days week 30 minutes Intermediate 4 days a week 30 minutes Advanced 5 days a week 30 minutes minimum Professional - Daily 1 hour minimum

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
By the time your child is 3 you will notice if they have a creative skill If you offer it to them and they say yes or if you notice they have a skill that needs to be developed

When will I start to see results?
After 6 -10 weeks you should see progress - if the student has a regular practice schedule, Depending on the the students desired discipline of creativity singing, songwriting, music producing

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Absolutely! I wanted to play drums in my middle school marching band, the drama teacher said it was not a good idea, the band teacher said go for it and I became the first girl drummer on the drumline.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I felt like i could do it - Although piano was my first instrument and voice was my second, i also played clarinet and drums. I focused on voice and piano and mastered it so i could become a professional artist/ songwriter.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Helping student artist to achieve their DREAMS!!! Writing for Same Script Different Cast for Whitney Houston and Debra Cox. the song made it on Whitney's Greatest Hits CD. I'm also proud of recording on the 1995 Panther Soundtrack and video which featured a song called Freedom, Working with Phil Collins

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