Violin Lessons in Toluca Lake, CA

Instruments: Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle

At the core, I believe everyone has a voice, and my job as a music teacher is to help someone realize his or her own voice. The violin is a hard instrument to master, and many people get discouraged when progress doesn't come faster. Thus, I exhibit patience and encouragement, always helping the students feel good about themselves. I try to find out each student's "heart-music," and use the same basic method with whatever style he or she really wants to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

Each student is different. At first I try to see what's their passion, how much farther they want to learn, what style would they prefer, and more things about their preferences. For the beginners it's very important to learn step by step. But at the same time I always find out a unique way to entertain by performing a peace for them, and/or play along with them or play an accompaniment for them. 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: Violin Viola Fiddle

In 2014 I founded the string program at Lincoln Heights Youth Arts Center, a program that provides affordable music classes to students aged 8-18. Additionally, in the past two years I have been the primary music instructor at Lincoln and Mountain Avenue Elementary Schools in La Crescenta. After eight years of work in music education I have developed a passion not just for the craft of the violin, but in helping each student to achieve their personal goals through fun and engaging music. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I create a personalized lesson plan for each and every student I teach, because not everyone learns the same way. I incorporate music and exercises from a variety of different books in a way that I think would best suit my student. I will often also have my students learn music that has a part for a second violin, so that I can accompany them. For a complicated instrument like the violin, learning left-hand technique comes before right-hand technique, and then combining them together. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

For beginning string student's, I use Essential Elements for Strings and Schroeder method books. Once the student has grasped the basic fundamentals and note reading, I begin to introduce solo repertoire from the Suzuki String method. Along with technical studies and solo repertoire, the student will learn scales ranging from one to four octaves. For beginning piano student's, I use the Bastein Piano series. This method is complete with a method book, solo repertoire, theory studies and scales. 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