Music Lessons in Moraga, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

My mother was a professional tap dancer, in which would inspire me in the arts of dance-contemporary, latin and theater. As, I grew up after high school, I became active in cultural dance music participating in Carnaval parades-S.F., Afro-Haitian dance performances and community colleges music groups of jazz, spiritual and soul. I continued further to the Education of music and dance in colleges. After, graduation I returned to Stockton, CA, and began organizing music and dance programs in the community for low income housing projects, where I began a non-profit organization: Pan Afrakan Dance Music -instructing in African -and African-Caribbean Dance and Music community centers, after-school programs and festivals. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I graduated from High School in 2002, and I've taught on and off since then. I've moved 4 times, but in each place I kept a high standard for my students and taught them in a way that would help them accomplish their personal goals. In Tampa I was a teachers assistant, filling in to teach college students technique and repertoire, and I kept small private studios in Boston and New Jersey as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Synthesizer Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For children just beginning their instrument, I teach finger placement and note location on the piano by using a color coding system to use in learning a song from John Thompson's Easy Piano Course. From there i introduce songs that interest them and develop sheet music comprehension, rhythm, finger technique and harmony development at a pace comfortable for your child. For older students, I ask them what their interests in music are. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

It is important that each student progresses at their own pace with reasonable and realistic goals that they can reach. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to achieve even greater challenges. My desire is to find what motives the student and create a curriculum that will refine them based on their desire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I typically perform an assessment with every individual during the first lesson. Depending on goals, I will recommend curriculum to achieve the desired results. If a classical approach is desired, I use the Alfred's Basic Piano series and the Hal Leonard method for guitar, along with scale and chord theory literature depending on the level of the student. I also teach jazz/pop accompaniment style improv playing so I print music out from various sources. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, and have been consistently teaching students ant homes and in my home studio in Antioch for the past 3 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano

However, I consider these method books as merely one of the tools of my teaching (very often, I do not follow exactly the order/content of the book, but design my own lesson plan using the aid of the book) - Because I believe I am responsible for most of the teaching, not the book. I also occasionally provide supplementary repertoire, as well as incorporating a limited amount of rote teaching. Read More