Stephen Z
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Music, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Swing, New Age
Stephen Z
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Music, Keyboard
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Swing, New Age
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
Bachelor Degree: California State University Fresno
National Association of Teachers of Singing (1st prize)
Music and Arts Institute of San Francisco scholarship
West Bay Opera League (1st prize)
TMT Entertainment Awards nomination (United Kingdom)
Fresno Music Society (1st prize)
I am from a family of musicians. As a child I performed all over California. As an adult I still perform and teach piano, composition, and voice. I also have been successful in teaching through distant learning so although I am located in California, I am able to reach my students and make a difference in their musical lives. I am an accomplished composer, pianist and vocalist. As a piano student I was asked directly into the piano Masters program at California State University Fresno thus bypassing the bachelor studies. My vocal credits, among others, include winner of the National Association of the Teachers of Singing for two years in a row, and many other awards and scholarships.
As a piano instructor, I am in a direct teaching lineage that dates back to Beethoven. Member of National Guild of Piano Teachers (Teacher’s Division of the American College of Musicians), Music Teachers Association of California, and United Association of American Musicians. I am a jury team member for Arts Council San Jose “in recognition…of outstanding skills in research, performance and teaching.” I have taught voice, piano, and composition at Music and Arts Institute of San Francisco, Zimmer Music Studios, Napa Valley Music Company, Opera Institute of California, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Academy, Los Gatos CA (grades k-12), and Visalia Music School. I have also prepared musicians and singers for “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” auditions in San Francisco.
For beginning piano students who are children, I usually start with Faber Piano Adventure books. Depending on the individual child, often times I introduce creativity, improvisation, performance repertoire for upcoming recitals or other performance venues in which they gain added knowledge and valuable experiences in life of piano music. For adult beginners, most seem to enjoy Alfred All-in-One piano method. When teaching advanced piano students, I work with them on repertoire of their choosing and my suggestions. Technique, exercises and understanding tonal landscapes are included along the path to great musicianship.
The highlight of my day of music is teaching all ages and all levels of piano, music theory and composition. Since I am very confident in the many styles and techniques in which I have performed over the years, it is with pure joy that I teach the various levels of piano along with the musical tools necessary. In this way, the student is enlightened, encouraged, and excited to experience all the wonderful worlds that the piano encompasses. With regards to voice instruction I am not a “ cookie cutter“ teacher where one technique fits all. Having studied various vocal techniques and performance styles of the 19th/20th/21st centuries, with keen observation I utilize what is best for each student to allow their voice to shine and become their own unique, great individual voice.
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