Piano Lessons in Yolo, 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 Flute Music

Learning about music involves so much more than technique or scales, but also relies so much on their emotions and mindset. I want to prioritize their own independence within these lessons in regards to choosing their own repertoire or experimenting with their own compositional style so that they can embrace how liberating and fun learning about music and being creative can be, rather than seeing it as a chore! I also want to make sure that their musical journey is built with the right mindset - a lot of the time there is unnecessary toxic, competitive energy within other musicians which defeats the whole purpose of inspirational collaboration that can come from playing music with others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I have also received commissions and grants from soloists, ensembles, and arts organizations in several U.S. states. Some of my pieces have been published by music publishing companies or have been broadcast on the radio (including WFMT's Relevant Tones). I played principal flute in the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra for four years, and I appeared as a flute soloist in several orchestral and choral concerts on campus as well. 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 Bass Guitar

As someone who delights in music myself, what I want more than anything for a student is to foster that same love of music in him or her. Students need to know that anything worthwhile takes hard work. But if they are intrinsically motivated, they will find it much easier to apply themselves to the task of practicing their instrument. That's why I strive as a teacher to acknowledge any strides my students make and point out to them how their efforts have paid off. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I love watching my students develop their passion for music! And so, I do my utmost to challenge each student as much as possible at their own pace. We will set goals for the students in every lesson. Hitting certain milestones help the students to feel motivated, and want to push themselves more. Each student is different and so they learn differently, I do my best to learn from the student and tailor my teaching style to their particular learning style. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

Once a foundation is established on the instrument, the priority is guiding the student toward finding her/his individual voice and expression. Read More