Piano Lessons in South Gate, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Euphonium Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With any student who is in a beginning sort of stage with their musicality, I will start off by teaching them basic techniques, simple notes or chords(dependent on the type of instrument), and rudimentary knowledge of the notational system. Once they have started to make some progress, I take a unique approach by asking them of their own opinion for where they would want to see themselves go. I do this to not only make it as exciting as possible for the student, but to help them achieve a vision they already have for themselves. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I began to teach piano 3 years ago. In those three years, I have been working with a lot of young children and gain many experience in teaching piano. I have found that motivation and determination are the most important factors which help my student make progress. Therefore, I always try to figure out what my students really like to play and to learn, so that it can motivate them to practice the instrument better. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

One of the first questions I ask a new student is what music they are currently listening to and what piece they would like to learn. Sometimes they are shy and I don't really get an answer out of them but after they become comfortable with me I get an idea of what they want to learn. To my shocking surprise many kids from this modern era have no clue who John Lennon or Bob Dylan are and it is essential for me to expose them to all sorts of music from Bach to The Beatles to Chopin and The Cure! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Recorder Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I really love seeing my students come into their musicianship and artistry! I know that, it is really important that each student flourishes at his or her own pace. I believe setting realistic goals keeps both myself and the students engaged throughout the experience. I want to celebrate the wins we come across as much as possible as I know that inspires a lot of people to continue. I like to tailor everything to the students needs and desires while also giving them a broad knowledge to build from. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Keyboard

I have been teaching for the past 17 years.  I enjoy the challenge of meeting each student's needs and creating an individual teaching plan to help students achieve their goals. I have had the opportunity to work with preschool through undergraduate students. My experience as a high school chorus teacher, Teaching Artist with the Washington National Opera, guest vocalist for the Ghanian ambassador, and part-time professor have bolster my ambition to bring music to students "where they are". 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