Voice Lessons in San Ramon, CA

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For voice, I like to start with making sure the placement is good and that the tone begin produced is nice and full. After that working on moving smoothly though notes while keeping the voice aligned, handling vowels and consonants, and gradually extending range. Repertoire is used to help support the lessons and gradually increases with the ability of the student. For guitar, in either the styles that use a flatpick or the finger-styles, I like to build a library of chords and progressions linked to an understanding of keys and scales (music theory). Read More

Instruments: Voice

I began teaching informally to other musicians as part of my music practice, and found that I had a love of passing on what I've learned. I began teaching voice and beginning piano in 2019, and have kept it up ever since. I have taught pre-K children through adult professionals, with every age and skill level in between. In voice lessons I allow students to pick repertoire - you should learn what inspires you! - and help them identify techniques that can be used to develop their unique voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning guitar I start out with Chris Parkening: classical guitar book...learning finguring styles, rudiments, and notes. We then go into various techniques and develop song repetoire and chording and strumming styles. For beginning piano I start with level one Hal Leonard book for beg. piano and various beginning classical composers: Beethoven, Mozart, Tchakovisky, Jazz, etc. . I split this class into musicianship-learning notes and reading music, fingering and scales, and theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Recorder Music Acoustic Guitar

The skill level of my students range from Beginner to Intermediate. For Piano Students: My beginner students start with the Bastien Piano Basic Method Books. I assess what book level is necessary during our first lesson. Other beginner material I use are: Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Books, Older Beginner Piano Course (For Adult Beginner Students), and Piano Adventures series. Book levels vary per student and some additional material may fall to the responsibility of the students family to purchase. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

I have taught music for over 20 years. I have been performing for 25 years. My students acquired graduate degrees in music, as well as attended the most prestigious schools, here in the bay area and beyond. My son and students are prolific performers and have been selected for leading roles. They have been awarded scholarships and honors in the performing arts field, and in general academia subjects. I published a thesis on the subject of how music helps with learning, mood and mind/body healing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard

Each comes with their own set of creative challenges and goals, and helping them move to a place of satisfaction and joy in music has been the most meaningful kind of work. When I began to learn music as a child, I had no idea how much joy it would bring me, and the musical community I would gain, or the anchor this pursuit would be for me through the difficult seasons that would arise in my life. Read More