714-582-3981
Musika Quick Stats
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
- Have questions? Check out our
- FAQ
- CONTACT US
-
![call-icon]()
714-582-3981
Lesson Special - Up to 20% OFF! Get Started Now with a Risk-Free Trial!
Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Yorba Linda . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
I also have taken private drum and piano lessons and will have no issues teaching beginners great ways to play any song through the methods I learned from those instruments as well as the beautiful voice instrument, where I shine the most as an instructor and performer. I also am very adapt at singing while playing guitar, piano, or even rapping while playing; we will work on you becoming a master of rhythm and timing. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard
I have been teaching voice and piano to all ages for about 3 years. Many students have come to me saying, I want to learn this song! Much of my experience has been working with students who want to learn to play and sing songs by their favorite artists. I have also spent a great deal of time working with kids ages 6-15. I have found in my time teaching that music is most valuable when appreciated both creatively and technically. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
I am a musician, singer-songwriter, composer with a Master of Fine Arts in music from the California Institute of the Arts, specialization Performer-Composer and a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles. I have been composing and performing music for most of my life and enjoy connecting with all students at all levels and ages. I believe that each of us have different paths and experiences that lead us to expressing ourselves artistically. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet
I began teaching when I was 16 in my local town of Evanston, Illinois.I have continued to teach on and off in between touring and working with others for the last 14 yrs. I currently have a 2 year old son who is very interested in trumpet so I am beginning to show him the ropes and am well aware of the struggles of teaching younger children. I emphasize a regular regiment of practice every day of at least 20 minutes. Read More
Instruments: Piano
Suzuki Piano: also called the mother-tongue method. The method is modeled after the way the way children learn their native language, with an emphasis on exposure to the music being learned via listening to a recording. Note reading is not neglected, though earliest pieces are learned "by ear." The Suzuki philosophy is "Every Child Can" (learn to play). Read More
Instruments: Piano Cello
For younger cello students I love Suzuki book 1- for older students I use Lee. For my piano students I start with Bastien series. I always try to keep my students engaged and lessons positive. If for some reason a student get stuck on a piece of music or they're no longer progressing in a meaningful was I am not opposed to shelving it and moving on to something new. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
My practice sessions usually last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on my schedule and goals that day. I like to start with a warm-up — whether that’s vocal exercises like breathing and scales, or finger exercises on piano — to prepare my body and mind for focused work.
Next, I’ll focus on technical skills, such as refining tricky passages, working on pitch control, or improving rhythm and timing. This part is all about precision and building solid foundations.
Then I like to spend time on musicality and expression — maybe working through a song, experimenting with phrasing, dynamics, or storytelling. For songwriting, this might mean brainstorming lyrics or melodies, or arranging a track.
Finally, I always leave time to play or sing something fun — whether it’s an old favorite or something new I’m excited about. This keeps practice enjoyable and reminds me why I love music.
Of course, every practice is a little different depending on what I need at the moment, but balancing technique, creativity, and enjoyment is key for me. I encourage my students to find their own rhythm and routine that feels inspiring and doable.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I try to steer away from old fashion teaching methods and books, as they can feel a bit "mechanical" and not very inspirational. But from time to time I use Alfreds for piano and recommend advanced singers or special-interest-singers to read "The Contemporary Singer, Elements of Vocal Technique" and songwriters to read "writing better lyrics" by Pat Pattinson.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
I currently have students that got into LIPA, several students that are in "gifted" programs in high school and older students that work as full time musical theatre performers in Norway ! We spent a lot of time audition prepping, which is truly one of my favorite ways to teach.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
For me, as a vocalist, one of the hardest things to master is finding complete control while still keeping your voice feeling natural and expressive. It’s a delicate balance between technique and emotion — too much focus on technique can make singing feel mechanical, but too much emotion without control can strain your voice or cause inconsistency.
Developing breath support, pitch accuracy, and dynamic control takes time and patience, and every voice is unique, so what works for one person might not work for another. That’s why I emphasize healthy technique combined with encouraging students to find their own authentic sound.
In piano and songwriting, mastering the ability to translate emotion into music that connects with others is a challenge I deeply respect. Technical skills can be learned, but making music that truly moves people requires heart, vulnerability, and practice.
Ultimately, mastering any instrument is a journey — one that requires persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to grow.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Yorba Linda to students of all ages and abilities.
We'll then reach out to the teachers for you.
Schedule the risk-free trial lesson directly with the teacher.
Continue with that teacher or try someone else.
