Piano Lessons in Yolo, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I ask lots of questions to help students make their own musical decisions and take ownership of their interpretations. I’ve taught students ages 3 to 77, and have found that at every age, the discovery of how music can communicate and connect people is richly rewarding. Music is meant to be shared, so with my students each year culminates with a celebratory studio recital. Not only does this create a concrete goal and a sense of accomplishment for students, but it further cultivates the shared supportive studio environment they contribute to and enjoy.” Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners who are young children under 7 years of age, I always start with Bastien Piano Basics Primer A together with the theory book primer A then Primer B (piano and theory). Once the student has progressed to gain fundamentals I introduce Alfred’s Basic piano Library Prep Course with the theory book as well. Some students start from B but most of them start level C depending on their ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I have written and released my own piano series which I use for beginner and intermediate students of all ages. My method introduces students to vocabulary of rhythm, pitch, music symbols and ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

When it comes to teaching, I find the most important thing is that we work towards the goal of what the student wants to learn - in the case of their preferred styles/genres of music, and the songs that they really enjoy. Every student has their own individual skill level and pace that can be developed and worked around. First, I would find out the level of skill and musical interests of the student, then I would create a lesson plan utilizing all of the tools at my disposal - both from my personal experience and from other educational sources, such as: Piano lesson books, Blues books, Rock books, Classical guitar/piano books, theory books, and tablature books, or music from popular bands. 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

I have also had the opportunity to work with American Bach Soloists director Jeffrey Thomas who conducted the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the University chorus where I played both piano and celesta parts. It was a frightening and exhilarating experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. As a soloist, I have performed several piano works of many of the great classical composers ranging from Beethoven piano sonatas, Bach prelude and fugues to Chopin nocturnes, Brahms intermezzos, and many, many others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began teaching private piano lessons in the fall of 2015. I have taught both adults and children, and have found the experience very rewarding, especially with adult learners. I got my own start in music very late, and was actively discouraged in my youth from pursuing it--so one of my main goals as an educator is to motivate students and encourage them that they can still be performers. Working with children has also been very rewarding, and has taught me that it is just as important to have fun when you're making music. Read More