Voice Lessons in Benicia, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard

My lesson plans are curated for individual needs. Over the past twelve years, I have worked with all ages, talent levels, and abilities, and have learned that it is absolutely essential for the teacher to adjust their methods for each students, as each individual has different goals, learning styles, interests, and needs. I strive to find new music my students will fall in love with, and am constantly learning new music to help them play their favorite songs at their current level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Both passionate and laid back, ambitious and realistic, I have found great success through having an open mind and grateful spirit in this crazy music business. My friends and colleagues have described me as consistently positive, easy to get to know, and warm hearted. I hold two degrees in vocal performance, and consider the countless hours I've spent teaching in the studio and performing on stage to be my greatest assets. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe in encouragement, fun and positive focus on the students progress at whatever speed that they progress. This makes each student look forward to each lesson with eagerness and actually accelerates their progress. I never push a student and instead encourage and edify the student and try to use their own favorite pieces of music to keep them excited about their next lesson. Acknowledging small progress is the key and I never let a student leave without celebrating their accomplishments no matter how small! Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

I was born with an "educator" mindset, and began teaching early on in my personal music studies. I began teaching about 10 years ago, in 2010, after getting into my undergraduate studies for music performance. I have taught all levels and in many different settings: To-date I have taught ages 6 through 65. I have taught in formal school system classrooms, private music studios, community centers and at a student's home. Everyone has a unique gift in music and I focus on honing this gift and letting it shine through. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I work from a whole-body mindfulness perspective on voice. We use our whole body to create and emit sound, not just our lungs and throat. When we work from a whole-body perspective, we are more grounded, we are better able to identify pitch and stay on pitch, our breath flows better, and the act of singing becomes enjoyable and easy. We start from identifying the student's comfortable pitches and range, and then we expand upon what is currently comfortable for a greater range. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For someone with no experience on guitar I'll typically begin with scales, and familiarizing with the guitar. For bass; exactly the same as guitar to start, drums would start with with your basic 2,4 beat, and familiarization with parts (snare, hi hat, etc). Vocalist I would always start with a warm up, basics, and note reciting. For keyboard beginners I would show them their A,B,C's as far as how to access those, and we'd start messing with different shapes, and songs almost right away. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More