Music Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Guitar Voice

I like to teach lessons that move step-by-step, with each lesson building on the one before, so that the student can see the improvement as they move ahead. If they are children beginners, they can begin with simple chords, a strum and a C scale. Over time more chords, fuller strumming rhythms and understanding how chords come from scales is introduced. With more advanced players, depending on the style that they want to play, they can learn more advanced chords and progressions, licks and fills, and creating intros and endings and generally sculpting the songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students, I choose Alfred's Basic Piano Library and Faber Piano Adventures, and other brands/materials that fits the need of the student. I often made teaching materials myself, as well as writing music for my students. The most important thing for beginners are keeping interest and correct postures. Starting from songs the student recognize usually helps. For advance students, I usually recommend repertoire covering all 4 classical periods, plus etudes and finger trainings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Music Keyboard

I have been teaching prviate music lessons in since 2008.  Currently I am only teaching remotely.  I currently teach piano, percussion, voice, theory, conducting, and eartraining.  Several of these will overlap during a student's curriculum over the years.  I also strongly encourage students to listen to music frequently and see live performances when they are able.  I incorporate music history and music theory into many lessons as well. When I am not teaching private music lessons, I work as the advanced music theory instructor and general music faculty at Cabrillo College. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I'm passionate about teaching others to love music. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been performing and teaching since I was a teen. I have performed both classical and original music and am currently working on a rock album writing piano and orchestra for about 12 songs. We have a Grammy-nominated producer in Denmark producing our album. Seeing new students experience learning to play is a great joy for me as well as helping an experienced student ace a RCM or other performance exam, place in a competition, or enter a music program in college. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For younger students and beginners, I like to keep lessons fun and short, allowing them to learns the elements of playing while enjoying the thrill of making beautiful sounds. I like to start with New Direction for Strings for fundamentals and short songs , while peppering in pieces from the suzuki books and fun exercises I've picked up along the way to facilitate learning away from the instrument. For more experienced students, I like to make a musical diet of etudes, scales, exercises, and repertoire to facilitate a well rounded technique, dexterity, and musical freedom. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time a 5 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 5 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 guitar. My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing guitar for 21 years and teaching for 14 years.  I started taking private guitar lessons as a teenager for several years and played in my High School Jazz Band along with other original rock bands. While in high school, I was able to study with popular Chicago rock guitarist Kevin M. Buck where I first learned music theory, which inspired me to be more studious with the guitar. Read More