Violin Lessons in Terminal Island, CA

Instruments: Piano Violin

I always make sure my students and their parents have realistic expectations when they start taking music lessons. For instance, violin is a difficult instrument to play and it can take months of practice to play a simple tune. However, it can be fun and enjoyable as long as it is understood that these simple accomplishments in playing the violin are in fact rather big ones. I request the parents of young (5-7 years old) students to be present during the lesson as often as possible. 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

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My teaching style is focused and intentional. I take into account every student and her or his needs. That being the case, I create detailed plans for the students week as far as practice is concerned. There will be listenings on each weeks assignments, detailed notes so as to make sure the student has all the necessary information to best succeed during the week between lessons. The best way to learn is to teach someone what you have learned. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginning students, I work with a student for violin on the parts of the instrument and the bow. Few students learn quick on the parts of the violin and the bow.I used the violin books on All for Strings by Robert Frost and Kjos music company from San Diego. I go over the repertoire from a student to play the rhythm slowly and hearing the pitches for the school homework. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My strong point as a teacher is figuring out how each student best learns. Everybody has a different style of learning, and I make sure to cater to the student's needs in that way. My lessons are light-hearted yet very productive. The most important skill for a student to have is to know how to practice efficiently. I set my students up for success by teaching them practice methods as well as looking at small details in the music in order to make them a better player. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching for the past 11 years and have had a full studio of 20-25 students during that time. Over the past four summers I have also directed chamber music and fiddle music camps. I specialize in starting very young children on the violin, as young as age 2, although depending on the child starting between ages 3-6 is ideal. It is very important to me to tailer my teaching to each student and their developmental and musical level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

 I've been actively teaching for nearly 35 years. Teaching children as well as adults. I graduated from Drake University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While in college I played professionally in the Des Moines Symphony and was the winner of the Young Artist Contest which afforded me the privilege of featured soloist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra. I've travelled Europe performing in America's Youth in Concert and have played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame. Read More