Music Lessons in Mission Viejo, CA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

I've been teaching for the past five years. My favorite part of being a teacher is seeing my students take the initiative in their musical studies and discovering break throughs in our lessons. Many of my students have participated in several honor bands and competitions, and I make it a point to steer them in that direction. In my experience the best place a musician can be is surrounded by musicians that raise their standards of excellence. Read More

Instruments: Violin

Every student learns on a different learning curve. My general teaching style includes a balance of technique and musicality. I asks students to keep a notebook where I break up the materials for them to practice for efficiently. I also look for other materials. if the student moves at a faster or needs additional help. I have a general structure of teaching I used with all students and personalize lessons accordingly; Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I've taught privately for over 30 years and have been teaching from my home studio in South Pasadena since 1994. Everyone who studies with me deserves as thorough a musical education as I can give them. I discuss both short and long term objectives with all new students (or their parents) before the first lesson. While its important for the teacher not the student to establish the course of study, I believe that sticking to a rigid ideology is a mistake. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

I strongly believe that a well-rounded music education helps a player to become a more confident, musical, and an emotionallyyaware musician. As such, I like to give my students small assignments focused on topics besides just performance, such as Music Theory and Aural Skills exercises. Of course, I will always move at the pace the student needs but I also know (from personal experience) that a nudge in the right direction can be priceless. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

For beginning piano students, I start them with a variety of materials, beginning with John Thompson's piano books, along with stanzas of finger exercises to develop dexterity. But more importantly for me, is that I understand that people, especially now, want to start playing songs as soon as possible. So, I immediately teach them chords and scales. Weekly, I introduce a new one so they get comfortable and then get them used to moving from chord to chord. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning and intermediate guitar students, I typically use Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Complete Edition by Will Schmid and Greg Koch. This book will cover technique, music notation, theory, repertoire, fingerboard knowledge and music fundamentals. It works for children and adults. For beginning students who are learning classical guitar, I use the Aaron Shearer's method which includes detailed lessons on theory, form, fingering, technique, sight-reading, and etc. Nevertheless, I usually use many other books for guitar lessons since I always take into consideration the needs and goals of my students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe that it is imperative that the student has fun, while staying focused and learning as much through a lesson as possible. I play musical games and analogies to assist with the memorization of finger numbers, note names, and finger scales. I make sure that the student is focused and is enjoying the lesson and if not, I am able to change my method to fit my student's needs, all while maintaining professionalism and communication with the parent. Read More