Music Lessons in Oakland, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have been teaching piano for over twenty years. My teaching philosophy is that every piano lesson should be fun. For young beginners, I focus on basic technique. The reason is that it is very important to form good playing skills right from the beginning. For older students, I broaden their musical knowlege by introducing piano literature from different time periods. I also encourage them to pick songs that they like to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

For beginning students in flute and piano, I use Trevor Wye flute books and Alfred piano books, respectively. These books cover fundamentals and hand technique and once that is learned and internalized, then I will introduce more solo or accompanied repertoire that they would eventually perform in a recital. For beginning composition students (which are taught remotely on Zoom), I will go over different "lectures" about fundamental music theory and integrate short composition assignments that go according to what was learned in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

My name is Lauren and I am a voice and piano instructor who has the goal of not only improving your voice or piano skill, but also improving your confidence and presence on stage. My love of music dates back to my early childhood and it has been a dream come true getting to share it with budding musicians both young and old. I have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary musicians in my career and have come to understand the importance of not only teaching solos but also coming together as a team. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners, my method is simple. To be able to read music is important to me. Therefore, I teach them to read notes, count, hand and finger positions. For advanced students, I will focus on teaching them to interpret a piece rather than copying from others. I will motivate the students to feel the piece so that they can play it easily and genuinely. Above all, all my students have to be able to read music fluently. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My biggest satisfaction when I teach is seeing my students getting better and maintaining their interest, passion, and desire. Once in a while I like to push them or tell them to push themselves, find new challenges, and dare a little more. New challenges bring new goals, and new goals make them keep their eagerness to learn. Since my key point is "be open-minded", I always try to make their interest and needs parallel with my instructions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

My methods of teaching cater to the students interests and strengths. I use material and songs that the students want to learn. I draw the learning from these pieces of art. I also use Suzuki, Hal Leonard and Bastien piano materials. My specialty is popular, sacred, arias, jazz and folk music. I create diversity in my lessons and keep them fun and exciting. In my lessons, I teach body mechanics, proper vocal warm ups as well as piano exercises and drills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Oboe

For beginning students (children and adults), I typically start with Alfred's Piano Lesson and Recital books. Before starting to read the music score, I seriously train their technique and hand/body posture. After students become fluent on note-reading and able to read and play basic rhythmic patterns properly, I will begin introduce simple solo repertoires and etudes such as Czerny studies, Bach minuets, Burgmuller studies, sonatinas, and simple classical repertoires in Keith Snell books. Read More