Music Lessons in North Long Beach, CA

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My recording credits span a wide variety of albums, including a Top 10 Billboard Blues charting album (Katie Knipp's "Take Me With You"), folk/Americana, pop, jazz fusion, funk, progressive rock, metal, hip hop. I've performed and toured across the US and internationally both as sideman as well as with my own original projects. The end result of this background is that I am highly experienced at being versatile, and that I see connections across all genres. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce a solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Beginning students I will start off with songs they already love and enjoy. I believe there is a certain energy and passion in learning your favorite songs. And I encourage every student to learn the songs they enjoy. I work with a method that takes both beginner and advanced students through each piece of their favorite song. While focusing on customized goal setting for each student. I work diligently to prepare my students for the future, should they want to join a band or write music on their own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

My teaching experience began as a college student. I taught privately and later after getting my certification with the state of California I taught for 10 years as an instrumental music instructor with the Clovis Unified School District near Fresno. After that I moved to Los Angeles and taught for 14 years in that capacity with the South Whittier Schools. I am familiar with a variety of musical styles and like to vary my instruction to both classical and mariachi as well as others listed above. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning students, I focus on building a solid foundation of vocal technique (including: breath, resonance, posture, register, and diction). We build this foundation through singing pieces that the student is familiar with and lots of vocal exercises. At the same time, I like to introduce basic music theory concepts. I typically start with Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course Theory. Upon grasping and understanding fundamentals, I will begin to introduce repertoire from different styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I started playing music and specifically the saxophone in the fourth grade. I played all throughout middle school and high school. Outside of school, I took classes at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and was a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra. I started playing the bass guitar my junior year in high school. I always used to hear music in the house growing up but I first became interested in music when I was around the age of five and heard Take Five by Paul Desmond playing on the radio in the car. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Beginning piano students typically start in a beginners lesson book.  Lessons begin with scale and chord warm ups. As they progress I incorporate music of their choice.  Lessons also incorporate music theory, performance techniques, and relevent music history. Beginning voice students start with song selections of their choice. Lessons begin with a series of warm ups that develop proper technique.  As the student progresses the level of music advances.  Lessons incorporate  music theory, performance techniques, and relevant music history. Read More