Music Lessons in Kenwood, CA

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

I have been given so many opportunities to teach students of various ages. I was an assistant instructor for San Jose State's Summer Flute Institute, which involved giving private lessons, teaching beginner-level flute classes, coaching an intermediate chamber group, and judging a advanced-level performance competition. I've also had the chance to travel to Tijuana, Mexico as an assistant instructor for a summer Festival called Opera de Tijuana's Opera en la Calle. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginners, I typically focus on teaching straightforward open chords, along with scales and exercises to improve finger dexterity. Following that, I guide them in incorporating melodies or soloing over chords. We delve into strumming patterns and cover fundamental techniques for warming up. With intermediate players, my approach involves introducing chord inversions and delving into basic music theory. Topics include understanding how to stay in a key and identifying the diatonic chords within it. Read More

Instruments: Drums

At age 13 years old, I started playing the drums, first with private instructions with some of the greatest drummers in New York City such as Gene Krupa, Cozy Cole, and Rufus Bede Jones. I played in High school Band, University of California Jazz ensemble. I toured at many schools. I was on the same teaching staff with Tony Williams, Steve Smith and David Garibaldi. I teach all styles of drumming. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

Trombone - I utilize the books Abrams and Rochut-Melodious Etudes. I develop custom curriculum for each students level and learning style. At the first lesson, I evaluate what the student wants to get out of the lessons, what sparks their interests in music, and skill level. From there, I share exercises from the books, exercises I create for developing certain skills, and later on, creation or exercises by the student. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I prefer to take on students who are considered "intermediate" or at least working toward the intermediate level and advance because I specialize in developing a singer's performance quality. It's important that the student has basic vocal technique training prior to training with me because they'll have a technical foundation and sense of confidence that will allow them to explore (or as I like to call it "play") more of their vocal capabilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I can accompany the student with the guitar or piano. For beginners in piano, I will typically begin with the Faber workbook. If they have their own workbook that they would like to work from, I will work with that. I teach Circle of Fifths as an early tool to cultivate an understanding of harmonic language, and make it as simple and easy as possible, until the basics become engrained. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have infinite amounts of patience, which is the most important thing when teaching music. I adore teaching and playing music, and all of my students can sense this immediately, rather rapidly absorbing my love for the instrument and becoming passionate about it themselves. I give students realistic goals I know they can meet each week, and strongly recognize their achievements. I also ask the student many questions to learn what type of music they like best, what truly inspires them, so I can mold each lesson around these interests and truly engage him or her. Read More