Piano Lessons in San Rafael, CA

Instruments: Piano

My teaching style is flexible. For beginners, I will teach them all basic technic and reading skills. I believe in learning music by the ability of reading the music. Therefore, to have good reading skill is essential to all my students. Even if the students do not read music fluently, I will emphasize my teaching in improving them to read music. All my students will have good music sight reading eventually. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

My greastest reward is seeing each student develop a greater love of music as they progress and come to be able to express their personal feelings through music. It is important that each student progress at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals at each lesson. By acknowledging their accomplishments this helps build a desire to progress and makes students eager to learn more. By helping them learn how to use the hand, wrist, arm and upper torso, they learn tone control and musical phrasing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Recorder Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For the Advanced Beginner to Intermediate students (both adults and children) I use a mix of the higher level of all series listed above and a series of pieces that will challenge my students to explore their musicality, expression, awareness, and technical skills. For Cello Students: My beginner to intermediate cello students are taught using a combination the the following method books: All for Strings, Belwin Course for Strings, The ABC's of Cello, and Strictly Strings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

I am classically trained on piano and have been studying for many years. My piano students learn theory, as well as rhythm and end up very well versed in how to count properly. I also teach them proper hand technique as well as expression in a piece. Many students believe that it's impossible to be emotional on piano, but I make them dig deep to find the beauty and meaning in each piece and they come out the other side better players for it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

For beginning students in flute and piano, I use Trevor Wye flute books and Alfred piano books, respectively. These books cover fundamentals and hand technique and once that is learned and internalized, then I will introduce more solo or accompanied repertoire that they would eventually perform in a recital. For beginning composition students (which are taught remotely on Zoom), I will go over different "lectures" about fundamental music theory and integrate short composition assignments that go according to what was learned in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Faber's Piano Adventures or Suzuki's Piano School, however I am open to other books. Faber focuses more on written and piano practice whereas Suzuki focuses on auditory learning and piano practice. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More