Voice Lessons in Elk Grove, CA

Instruments: Voice

I started teaching in college when my current voice coach suggested it. The best way to learn material is to teach it, because in order to teach it you must know it inside and out. I can tell you that this lesson was one of the most rewarding discoveries of my career. I sincerely enjoy sharing my knowledge and love watching the development of a new singers. Building a strong voice gives confidence and power. Read More

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 Ukulele Keyboard

For beginning and intermediate students on piano, I generally teach out of Piano Adventures as a supplement, but teach other songs the student requests. For voice lessons, I tailor my supplemental book teaching to the students individual learning abilities, as well as learning songs they are passionate about. My philosophy on learning music is that a students should NEVER play a song that they hate! I tailor my instruction accordingly to keep lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

When I teach my students, I allow them to choose songs (even original ones they've written) they are interested in singing. I know when I'm assigned a song I'm not fond of, I'm less likely to take the time to practice it during the week! During our lessons, I take the time to warm up their voices and bodies thoroughly before we start singing any repertoire. Singing is a full body experience, and I teach my students to experience that as soon as they work with me! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music Instruction Expertise in teaching modern guitar performance, music technology, songwriting, audio engineering, and music production. Music Instruction Employers 2007-present Takelessons.com (Shingle Springs, CA) Community School of Music and Arts (Menlo Park, CA) Sierra Music Academy (Rocklin, CA) Newton Center (Foster City, CA) DJ Buddy Holly DJ Buddy Holly is a company I began in 2009 as a sole proprietorship. The company focuses on DJing at parties, clubs, and corporate events. 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

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

At a young age of 14, Gorjana, was already as one of the youngest freshmen in the history of the Academy of Music Art, University of Arts, Belgrade, Serbia. She graduated shortly after turning 18, and was awarded a diploma by the Academia, distinguishing her as the most successful undergraduate students of her generation. She has won 13 national and 9 international piano competitions and played  as a soloist and chamber musician in various European countries, as well as in all major concert halls in Serbia and Montenegro.            In 2005, Gorjana earned the Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, in the studio of Professor Barry Snyder. Read More