Voice Lessons in Courtland, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching experience begins when I apprenticed under my Choral teacher in high school and she would ask me to work one on one with certain singers that needed extra help. I started teaching private lessons part time at 17 and continued all through college. I have been consistently teaching students in my home for the past 5 years. I am a firm believer that in order to truly excel in anything you must have a classical foundation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

Smiley has studied piano since the age of 5 and has been fortunate to study with the Carl Wheeler the musician who wrote and played for Tony Toni tone, as well as Beyonce and high profile headliners. Smiley has played for celebrity singers including Carlos Santana, comedian Tommy Davidson, as well as John Witherspoon. He a Degree in music from the University of Berklee, and has taught piano and voice since 2005. he enjoys working with people and uses his patience and perceptiveness to communicate music to others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

When I was ten, I made the decision that whatever career I chose, I needed it to allow me to help people. As I got older and discovered that music was the thing I most wanted to do in this life, teaching voice and piano became the vehicle I needed to keep doing music as well as help people, like I wanted. In training my voice classically, I had the very best instructor who taught me how to sing the healthy way. Read More

Instruments: Voice

My lessons typically start with stretching and breathing exercises and then transition to vocal exercises. The vocal exercises serve to strengthen their technique and solidify skills needed to tackle their song. I always ask my students what kind of music they are interested in and find songs to work on that will help strengthen their voice, but also connect with their soul. We will "workshop" their song to work on vocal production as well as fine tune their presentation and performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more rewarding then seeing my student progress and overcome the difficulties of starting to play an instrument. Furthermore, it is very important that each one of my students progresses at their own pace. That being said, I encourage progression by setting realistic goals depending on the student's level. In addition, I create the students curriculum based on the styles of music students prefer as to keep their interest while giving them useful knowledge and techniques for any situation involving playing, improvising, or musical comprehension. Read More

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

Patient, judgement free, creative and adaptive. It takes time to adjust your body to a new instrument, and there will be freedom in the way you learn, and play. We will take creative approaches, and I will adapt to the style you want to take on as far as genre's and interest. For some of my more advanced students I might want to begin teaching songwriting approaches, song structure, and transitions as well. Read More