Piano Lessons in Suisun City, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Music

I do my best to find the "Goldilocks Zone" for each student; I make sure to assign exercises that aren't too easy, but not impossible. One of the newest sayings that I have adopted into my studio is "Nothing is difficult, it is just new". There is nothing in music (or life) that is too difficult; it is just new. You just need to take the time to figure out how to do it. 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 Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe in encouragement, fun and positive focus on the students progress at whatever speed that they progress. This makes each student look forward to each lesson with eagerness and actually accelerates their progress. I never push a student and instead encourage and edify the student and try to use their own favorite pieces of music to keep them excited about their next lesson. Acknowledging small progress is the key and I never let a student leave without celebrating their accomplishments no matter how small! Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

35 years teaching piano, music arranging, composition, theory, technique, personal expression. Beginning - Intermediate - Advanced. Intructor for Music School of Alameda. Music School at Sherman Clay, Private Music Studio, Music Director, 1st Trinity Lutheran Church Pianist for string orchestra, chamber groups, duos, trios, quartets, quintets. Accompanist for Vocalists, Instrumentalists. Pianist for Jazz Quartet Solo Pianist Classical, Jazz, Contemporary for Private Celebrations, Weddings, Birthdays, Graduations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone Euphonium Tuba Keyboard

I have been playing trombone since I was 10 years old and I haven't stopped since. I am involved in various groups throughout the SF Bay Area and I have experience in playing many different styles of music ranging from classical, RB, salsa, Latin Jazz, Jazz, rock, and many more. I have been teaching for about 3 years and I have been teaching at San Jose State University as a Jazz Big Band instructor. Read More