Piano Lessons in Oakley, CA

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

I started to teach piano in college, helping other beginning students around me achieve their goals. I slowly worked my way out to the community, teaching students of all ages at local churches in the area. The greatest satisfaction of teaching comes from the happiness and sense of accomplishment a student has when completing a piece for themselves or for their performance in a recital. My students have a well rounded education with playing different styles of music as well as understanding the music theory of what pieces they play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

My teaching experience dates back to 1996, when I began teaching lessons to children in at-risk communities in dance and music, while going through school in Oakland. I then continued in Stockton, CA, where I developed music and dance programs in the Recreation Centers, and later developed my own non-profit organization. I began writing my own grants to teach classes in after-school programs, and in 2013, while attending my music program, I began instucting private music classes in classical guitar, beg. piano and beg. voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder Piccolo

During lessons, I often compare concepts to other activities my students know and love - their favorite sport, video games, or books. I love sharing my magic tricks - shortcut exercises to make tricky passages instantly easier, and youll definitely catch me encouraging my students to listen, listen, listen! Every genre of music has something different you can learn and it adds to your own creative toolkit. I expect students to practice regularly and thoughtfully - seeking to play their very best and working to improve every time they pick up their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

In piano lessons, I'll provide highly valuable instruction and guidance on the key aspects of playing the piano: interpreting a piece of music accurately and with artistic expressiveness, improving technical ability, learning methods for efficient fingering and effective pedaling technique, developing greater control over emphasis, dynamics, and timing, and even strategies for physically improving and safely caring for your hands, fingers, and forearms. If you are a beginner and aren't sure what all those things mean or if they would apply to you, that's fine too. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Every student is unique. I try to unerstand their individual interests and abilities before I design the teching style that would be most productive and enjoyable. Providing a solid foundation and understanding of musical principles is what I strive to achieve with my students. I prefer to be an inspiring and enthusiastic coach. The student should not feel pressured or constricted. I try to create an environment in which students can feel comfortable to relax and develop their own creativity while learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

Ive been teaching music since I was a teenager. Ive taught at various music schools in New York and also California. Ive worked with very young beginners as well as seniors who are beginning. Ive worked with people who have all kinds of learning and physical disabilities. I really love teaching (people who want to be taught and who love music). I dont love people who are being forced to take lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

Flowing between the presentation of new information and the actual active playing music is very important to the way I conduct lessons. Especially for the young, I place much more emphasis on facilitating musical experiences rather than the integration of musical nomenclature and conceptualization. When we learn to speak, our ears guide us first, and we imitate. Writing and reading comes later. I've found that this pertains to music as well, if not even moreso. Read More