Viola Lessons in La Canada Flintridge, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I’ve held a studio of 35-40 students for the past decade and have had some of my students go onto pursue professional degrees in music at top conservatories around the country and perform for television and studio recordings. I teach students of all ages as young as four. I specialize in teaching students as young as 4 to reach a very high level of skill and artistry with just a few years of lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am a composer and performer who relishes music education! I hope to be a perfect fit to your needs as a teacher and I am determined to bring the best out of you, whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced student. I am a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where I majored in Contemporary Writing Production (Music Production Arranging) as well as Jazz Composition. At the college, I had to privilege to perform with Arnie Roth at the Boston Symphony Hall as a violinist, as well as perform and record with microtonal pioneer, David Fiuczynski on Drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

I am passionate about helping students at any level improve their skills. I have Bachelors and Masters degrees in Violin Performance and have played all over the world. For 10 years I was concertmaster of the Fresno Philharmonic and have performed as soloist and concertmaster of the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra touring throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. I moved to the Los Angeles area in 1996 and have been a member for over 20 years of the first violin section of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra with Placido Domingo as the Artistic Director. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I am teaching the students by wide range from beginners to most advanced. I use Suzuki method combined with traditional teaching materials and traditional teaching methods for advanced students. For younger students, I mainly use Suzuki teaching method, combined with etudes, like Alwin Schroeder's 170 Foundation Studies. Teaching all age group students with scales as well. For older or advanced students, I teach mainly with traditional method, etudes, like Dotzauer, Franchomme, Merk, Kummer, Gruetzmacher, Piatti and Popper etc. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I think it is important to have a strong foundation when you're learning to play an instrument. And what is absolutely essential is scales. If you can play scales well, then you're off to a good start! You may very well be able to learn new music faster and play the pieces better! However, I do not believe that scales should dominate the lesson because that is not fun for the student or the teacher. Read More

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: Violin Viola

For young students, I use a Suzuki Method hybrid, meaning I incorporate additional note-reading and music theory elements while using the Suzuki Violin books and Suzuki's core values of imitation and ear training. I also supplement with many pieces outside of the Suzuki Method, including folk, blues, fiddle, and other styles. As students progress I include traditional etudes, technique studies and scales. My ultimate goal is to give my students all the tools they need to play and learn pieces on their own, and to that end I ensure they fully comprehend and master each step of learning before introducing new concepts. Read More